inaction
noun
in·ac·tion
(ˌ)i-ˈnak-shən 
: lack of action or activity : idleness
protesting the administration's inaction
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
As a result of that inaction, California businesses will continue facing automatic payroll tax hikes to repay that debt.
—
Vince Fong, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
At the heart of this book is unfathomable sorrow that shapes the trajectory of all of her relationships and informs her actions and inactions.
—Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
Juries are often reluctant to convict law enforcement officers for inaction, as seen after the Parkland, Florida, school massacre in 2018.
—Jim Vertuno, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Juries are often reluctant to convict law enforcement officers for inaction, as seen after the Parkland, Florida, school massacre in 2018.
—CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inaction
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.
Vince Fong, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
At the heart of this book is unfathomable sorrow that shapes the trajectory of all of her relationships and informs her actions and inactions.
—Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
Juries are often reluctant to convict law enforcement officers for inaction, as seen after the Parkland, Florida, school massacre in 2018.
—Jim Vertuno, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Juries are often reluctant to convict law enforcement officers for inaction, as seen after the Parkland, Florida, school massacre in 2018.
—CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inaction
Cite this Entry
“Inaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inaction. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inaction
noun
in·ac·tion
(ˈ)in-ˈak-shən
: lack of action or activity : idleness
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
