inaction

noun

in·​ac·​tion (ˌ)i-ˈnak-shən 

: lack of action or activity : idleness

protesting the administration's inaction

Synonyms of inaction

• inertia

Examples of inaction in a Sentence

The protesters criticized the administration's inaction on environmental issues.

We must consider the consequences of continued inaction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Is this meant to be a response to Ruthye’s accusation that her inaction has consequences? — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Palm also criticized lawmakers for their inaction on addressing issues within the program that have been known for years. — CBS News, 7 June 2026

Healthcare has trained generations of leaders to avoid the visible mistake more than the invisible cost of inaction. — Annette Logan-Parker, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Disposing of the Baby Boomers, a group who fought against government inaction and actions, is now a crisis for the generations that followed. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inaction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• infraction
• olfaction

Kids Definition

inaction

noun

in·​ac·​tion (ˈ)in-ˈak-shən 

: lack of action or activity : idleness