IDLE Synonyms: 163 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

idle 1 of 2

adjective

ˈī-dᵊl

Definition of idle

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

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

As in The History of New York, the Dutch patriarchs are invariably idle and quiescent. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026 Off to the side, an idle editor (Matt Braunger) takes in the eye-level view of vehicles skittering down the interstate just outside. — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Verb

But four seconds later, the throttles were reduced to idle power and there were then sounds similar to the plane ‌departing the ⁠runway’s paved surface, the NTSB said. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026 Four seconds later, Shin said, the throttles were reduced to idle power and the landing gear brakes were reapplied. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for idle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle

Adjective

Most of the money is from dormant accounts in financial institutions, insurance and utility companies, and securities and trust holdings, according to the Florida Department of Financial Services.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Fried adds that bare-root plants are typically shipped or sold wrapped in moist sawdust during their dormant seasons in the spring or fall to ensure optimal planting outcomes.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of dormant

Adjective

But whereas The Holdovers’s Paul Hunham despises his lazy, pampered students, The Debut’s Jerry Blankenbuehler has a determination to summon theatrical magic out of his meager cast.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
In places at low to moderate risk of fire, along the edges of flat valleys and lazy hills, growth in the FAIR Plan is ballooning, and it is being used to underwrite new suburban development.

— Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of lazy

Verb

The joy Lisa has with her RHUGT cast compared with the dread her RHOSLC cast seems to bring her really bums me out — especially because of how much of this trip is championing the sisterhood of Housewives.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
My conversation partner returned, somehow unable to bum even a single cigarette from anyone at this party.

— Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 July 2026

Definition of bum

Adjective

The New York Knicks star is launching a new firm with members of his family that will manage his off-court business while also representing other clients from the world of sports and business.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Weiss’ overhaul of the show interrupted a critical off-season period when correspondents typically try to file and finish a segment for the fall.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of off

Verb

The colony also has a population of New Zealand fur seals that laze around the rocks frequented by flocks of seabirds.

— Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
The pigs that would soon enough become lunch lazed in the compost-pile mud in front of a five-star-hotel-worthy view of the Cretan Sea.

— Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026

Definition of laze

Adjective

That included eliminating 400 vacant positions, tapping an $89 million rail-project reserve to cover transit expenses and using an affordable-housing reserve to pay for a county eviction-reduction program.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
The old data center building that has been sitting vacant out beyond centerfield is slated to come down, making way for more development.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of vacant

Verb

At the event, some rugs were laid out on the grass in lieu of picnic blankets for guests to lounge on while nibbling on light bites; others were suspended from metal frames like tapestries.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2026
My daughter, who is 13, preferred to soak up the sun, lounging by the water’s edge.

— Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of lounge

Adjective

Harris has also said UCLA needs significantly more season-ticket holders, with a longer-term goal of removing the tarps covering portions of the Rose Bowl’s unused seating.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Avoid trendy or impulse decor purchases that often end up unused or out of place.

— Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of unused

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idiots

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idled

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of idle

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