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

But the Fed’s inaction could be good news for savers, Schulz said. —Rachel Barber, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026

Resignation or inaction are not acceptable responses. —J. Xavier Prochaska, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026

Years of inaction A 2025 AJC investigation revealed the board failed to investigate nearly 40 cases where police had used deadly force between 2020 and 2024. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 16 Mar. 2026

The warring egos and hurt feelings left over from the 2025 session played into the inaction on property taxes this year, observers said. —Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 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