1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of idle
Nagesh Nama,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Rather than remain idle, the conservation corps shifted its efforts elsewhere, traveling south to assist with wildfire mitigation projects near Colorado's Great Sand Dunes.
—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Detour opens with Petras laying down the gauntlet while idling on the edge of an enormous cliff.
—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for idle
Adjective
The pharmaceutical industry hasn't been sitting idle during this period.
—
Nagesh Nama,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Rather than remain idle, the conservation corps shifted its efforts elsewhere, traveling south to assist with wildfire mitigation projects near Colorado's Great Sand Dunes.
—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
Hardy reportedly kept production stalled by staying in his trailer for hours at a time, often leaving co-stars Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren idle on set.
—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Detour opens with Petras laying down the gauntlet while idling on the edge of an enormous cliff.
—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for idle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle
Adjective
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And inflation, which had bedeviled the United States and much of the global economy during the 1970s, was remarkably dormant during Greenspan’s chairmanship, something many economists had not thought could occur for so long a period.
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Some of the microbes may still exist in a dormant state more than 5,000 years after Ötzi's death, as his body sits at the South Tyrol Museum, the experts said.
Adjective
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Why This Happens To The Best Business Owners The trap does not catch the lazy or the careless.
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This cannot happen if lazy tropes around risk and governance continue to overshadow the ingenuity already present on the continent.
Verb
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Some were drawn first to the language and its interna ideo, only to later realize the travel benefits involved; others had learned the language specifically to bum around.
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That means, as some critics of the ban have pointed out, that 18-year-olds will almost certainly bum cigarettes from older friends—the same way younger teens have acquired them since time immemorial.
Adjective
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For a team that began the season with off days coming at a premium, a brief stretch with two open dates is a respite from the wear and tear of a long season.
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His shot diet is already optimized for the league, his frame holds up in physical matchups and his off-ball activity gives coaches a willing piece to weave into screen and handoff actions.
Verb
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For the ready-to-wear line, Tcherassi created signature striped dresses and cover-ups in deep blue guipure lace perfect for lounging around Capri.
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You are encouraged to sit and lounge and read.
Adjective
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For decades, the north campus had no resident population, remaining a collection of vacant deteriorating buildings and residential programs for physical and mental health recovery.
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Then, seven years ago, Cohen snagged a rare vacant plot for sale—modest in scale, at roughly half an acre, but blessed with pristine ocean frontage and perfect for the family escape of his imagination.
Verb
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In a third photo, Justin rested his chin on Jack's shoulder while holding him with one arm.
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All locomotion modes are limited by the metabolic scopes of organisms—the ratio between peak exertion and resting (or basal) metabolic rate.
Adjective
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Cancel unused subscriptions, negotiate recurring bills, pick up extra shifts or sell unused items around your home.
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Add those numbers up, and the league as a whole is expected to have roughly $208 million of unused cap space during the 2026-27 season.
Cite this Entry
“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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