as in to veg out
to spend time doing nothing
spent the morning footling about while others were working
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Recent Examples of footle
Get our daily newsletter Yet Mr Schwarzman avoids footling with life’s foot-soldiers for a reason.
—
The Economist, 19 Sep. 2019
The Economist, 19 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for footle
Verb
-
Just take care of your[self], and veg out.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Jan. 2026
-
This set is damn near professional-wear, with a blazer-style top and contrast piping for those who like to veg out with dignity.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Turquoise pearl, and azure line the space, and a cylindrical hanging light sculpture made of hundreds of white and gold ceramic fish hangs about the lounge seating area.—
Kristin Braswell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
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The hot air just hangs about, causing the dish to cook unevenly with some spots nearly raw and others burnt.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Cher’s adult son Elijah Blue Allman busted into a New Hampshire home over the weekend, and then kicked back on the couch with a cigarette, police said.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
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This has a similar curved design, and the chenille-like fabric lends this a coziness for kicking back and curling up.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Atrani In Positano’s quieter Fornillo area, this three-bedroom villa includes multiple terraces and garden spaces for dining, lounging, and sunset BBQs—and is a smart choice for those traveling with a larger group.—
Angela Tafoya,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
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The River features a winding lazy river, splash pad, state-of-the-art fitness center, resort-style lounging areas, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.—
Mosaic
Mar. 8,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Then Jason and Thor shower together, each lathering the other’s back and bums up with fewer orgasms than an old Herbal Essences commercial.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
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Rittenhouse admits to initially being bummed out to not be the murderer, only to quickly come around to preferring this outcome.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That project rests on decades of layered planning, established air rights and a transit hub designed to absorb extraordinary density.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
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In politics, evaluation usually rests on messaging and election results that often have little to do with day-to-day legislating.—
Matt Wing,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Nearly 40 million barrels of oil from Iran, Russia and Venezuela are on vessels idling near the country, up by more than 17% from the week before the conflict erupted, according to Kpler.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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Wright said the Russian oil being sold to India had been expected to go to Chinese refineries but had been idling at sea.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Be sure to allow enough time for the chicken to chill uncovered for 30 minutes before grilling.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
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After pasteurization, Munroe chills it to about 34 or 35 degrees before bottling.—
Paul Edward Parker,
The Providence Journal,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Footle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/footle. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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