idle 1 of 2

adjective

ˈī-dᵊl How to pronounce idle (audio)
Definition of idlenext
1
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment the car was idle for two weeks while they went on vacation the company's competitors have not been idle in developing rival products

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lazy
not easily aroused to action or work an idle employee who always seems to be either on break or at lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

idle

2 of 2

verb

as in to lazy
to spend time doing nothing she likes to idle during the summer and recharge herself for the fall semester we idled away the evening relaxing around the campfire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word idle different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of idle are inactive, inert, passive, and supine. While all these words mean "not engaged in work or activity," idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements.

workers were idle in the fields

When is inactive a more appropriate choice than idle?

The meanings of inactive and idle largely overlap; however, inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work.

on inactive status as an astronaut
inactive accounts

When could inert be used to replace idle?

The words inert and idle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity.

inert ingredients in drugs
an inert citizenry

When can passive be used instead of idle?

The words passive and idle can be used in similar contexts, but passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control.

passive resistance

When might supine be a better fit than idle?

While in some cases nearly identical to idle, supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence.

a supine willingness to play the fool

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of idle
Adjective
Farmers snapped up new combines and tractors that had sat idle on dealer lots five years earlier. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 6 July 2025 Meanwhile, the rapid rise in prominence of a US military base in western Saudi Arabia that for years sat idle suggests conflict with Iran had been anticipated, The New York Times reported. —Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
When only two vehicles remain on the far edge of the lot, the woman twists the key in the ignition and the idling car shudders still. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 30 June 2025 Buyers’ expertise is accelerating while most sellers are still idling. —Aman Rangrass, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for idle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle
  1. dormant
  2. lazy
  3. bum
  4. off
  5. lounge
  6. vacant
  7. rest
  8. unused
Adjective
  • After lying dormant for years, the match was revived in NXT by Triple H, becoming a popular annual event for the brand.
    — Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • In fact, the trade market was surprisingly dormant league-wide after widespread anticipation that a hectic two nights were in store.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 June 2025
Definition of dormant
Adjective
  • By the end of the summer, there will be another pool with a zero-entry layout, lazy river, and seven private cabanas.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
  • And perhaps that is lazy script writing from the football gods.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Definition of lazy
Verb
  • Paired with the gray-ish green color palette, sparse decor, and dark atmospherics in the Institute itself, the bleak vibes may be enough to turn some viewers off for good, especially those horror purists who tune in hoping to be terrified rather than just bummed out.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 July 2025
  • In a lot of ways obviously, devastated and bummed out.
    — Mike Fitzpatrick, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2025
Definition of bum
Adjective
  • No team could use an off day than the New York Mets.
    — John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Entering play Thursday, an off day for the Yankees, the reigning American League MVP had the highest average (.361), OPS (1.180), fWAR (6.1) and wRC+ (221) in baseball.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
Definition of off
Verb
  • Days spent lounging on the beach are typically followed by oceanside drinks and dancing at the lively, unpretentious Paddy’s Beach Club or the Windjammer Surf Bar.
    — Bob Curley, AFAR Media, 8 July 2025
  • In early June, Bieber posted a cute snap of himself lounging with his feet up as his son held onto his leg.
    — Kayla Grant, People.com, 7 July 2025
Definition of lounge
Adjective
  • Manny Pacquiao The 30-year-old Barrios won the vacant WBC interim welterweight title in September 2023 with a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugás.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Denver’s sideline contingent Court-side seats were mostly vacant on Thursday when the Nuggets opened Summer League play against Milwaukee.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
Definition of vacant
Verb
  • In the photo, Spieth and his children's hands can be seen touching the little one, who is resting while wearing a blue onesie with trucks printed on it.
    — Kayla Grant, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • After taking a little extra time to rest up, the three-time Grammy winner kicked off her Las Vegas residency with a bang on Friday night.
    — Shania Russell, EW.com, 13 July 2025
Definition of rest
Adjective
  • But last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that pulled back $2.1 billion of that money, which was expected to go unused.
    — Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025
  • Relics like these dot the country from California to Pennsylvania: unused, unplugged oil and gas wells.
    — Camila Domonoske, NPR, 7 July 2025
Definition of unused

Browse Nearby Words

idiots
idle
idled
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Cite this Entry

“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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