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

Spot’s air-quality and temperature readings can also be displayed on office maps, mobile apps, or idle room screens. — New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026 Two other reactors at the plant are being decommissioned, and a fifth is idle. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

The Brampton Assembly Plant, which was previously slated to build the Jeep Compass before Stellantis moved the product out of Canada in 2025 to avoid tariffs, has been idled since 2023. — Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026 Across the city and the country, declining attendance has idled many religious buildings, often leading to conversions. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for idle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle

Adjective

The administration has also intervened on behalf of Sable Offshore, allowing the company to revive a long-dormant pipeline off the coast of Santa Barbara despite objections from California officials and regulators.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
During fall, many of the plants in your garden shed their leaves and go dormant in preparation for colder winter weather.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of dormant

Adjective

And Congress ought to be – Congress ought to get up off its ice-cold lazy butt and cut it itself.

— CBS News, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026
With a lazy summer in our rear view and hectic school and job schedules around the bend, ‘tis the season for overworking ourselves.

— Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 23 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

Then, thanks to a pair of off days built into the series, both the Game 1 and Game 2 starters could be available to throw in an if-necessary Game 5.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
The younger victim died in a dorm room and was 18, while the other died in an off-campus home and was 20.

— Adam Sabes , Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 24 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

In the general election, Krell won over two-thirds of the vote, beating out Republican challenger Nikki Ellis to fill Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty’s vacant seat.

— Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Griffin’s sister is now refusing to build a home on the family lot that remains vacant, given its backyard would literally be a hop, skip and jump from the data center, Griffin said.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of vacant

Verb

If lounging by the water gets old, the resort runs a wide range of complimentary activities, from yoga sessions to an aloe scrub–making class.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Dress it up with a skirt or trousers for holiday celebrations, date nights, and other special occasions, or team it with leggings for a comfy yet cute outfit to lounge in.

— Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of lounge

Adjective

The through-line is the removal of items from the countertop and their relocation to otherwise unused vertical or hidden space.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
In schools, lead can come from deteriorating paint or from old plumbing, where water that sits unused in pipes can pick up lead.

— Rebecca Smullin Dawson, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of unused

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Style

“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of idle

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