antiwork

American  

[an-tahy-wurk, an-tee-] / ˌæn taɪˈwɜrk, ˌæn ti- /

adjective

1. of or relating to a social and cultural movement that distinguishes between labor, which generates goods, and work, which generates wealth, and that rejects work as artificially incentivized, while embracing or elevating labor as essential or intrinsically rewarding.

2. Often anti-work opposed to work; lazy.

---

noun

1. Often Antiwork the antiwork movement.

Etymology

Origin of antiwork

First recorded in 1870–75 as a term in physics; anti- ( def. ) + work ( def. )

Example Sentences

It is also a window, onto the city’s antiwork culture, eclectic individualism and architectural sediments.

From New York Times • May 15, 2023

One especially popular comment: “1 person has, potentially I’d like to add, ruined what antiwork and the progress it has made, for 1.7 million people.”

From New York Times • Feb. 15, 2022

Now some in the antiwork community see organizing around the Kellogg’s strike as an important way to turn their shared beliefs into real-world actions.

From The Verge • Dec. 10, 2021

It’s not the first time antiwork messages broke out of digital spaces.

From The Verge • Dec. 10, 2021

I see antiwork, or the Great Resignation, as the next logical step in the labor movement.

From Washington Post • Oct. 29, 2021