malingerer

[muh-ling-ger-er]

noun

1. a person who pretends to be sick, especially in order to avoid work or shirk responsibilities.

   Don’t reinforce the misguided perception that injured workers are just malingerers looking for a "paid vacation."

Word History and Origins

Origin of malingerer¹

First recorded in 1755–65; from French malingre “sickly,” of uncertain origin (perhaps from mal “badly” + obsolete haingre, heingre “lean, skinny”) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Republicans consistently slander disability recipients as malingerers and layabouts.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s because welfare programs are easiest to axe when conservatives go hunting for budget cuts — Americans typically view them as serving layabouts and malingerers at their expense.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s starting to make me feel like I’m a malingerer.

From Washington Post

These patients are often dismissed as malingerers or as suffering from a psychosomatic condition—and so it still is with long COVID.

From Scientific American

Experts have said Army culture breeds the belief that missing soldiers are malingerers or cowards, which makes finding them a low priority.

From Washington Post