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
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of idle
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
So, out of the $403 million payroll, $93.75 million worth of pitchers are idle (not counting Ohtani).
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
Hasina Jeelani, Vogue, 12 May 2025
The one-time shortstop enjoyed career peaks with 33 home runs and 109 runs batted in as recently as 2023 but has battled injuries since, with a broken toe and a broken wrist idling him for big chunks of time.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for idle
Adjective
This wasn’t an idle disagreement: to suspect a conspiracy was to suspect a coverup.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
So, out of the $403 million payroll, $93.75 million worth of pitchers are idle (not counting Ohtani).
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
Verb
Instead, my family spent time idling in a hammock under a dense canopy of trees, napping in the dappled sunshine.
—Hasina Jeelani, Vogue, 12 May 2025
The one-time shortstop enjoyed career peaks with 33 home runs and 109 runs batted in as recently as 2023 but has battled injuries since, with a broken toe and a broken wrist idling him for big chunks of time.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for idle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle
Adjective
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Summer heat and dry conditions slow down turfgrass growth; drought-tolerant grass turns dormant, a natural protective response to adverse conditions.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2025
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While most hosts of the parasite can control the initial infection with few if any symptoms, Toxoplasma remains in the body for life as dormant cysts in brain, heart and muscle tissue.—
Bill Sullivan,
The Conversation,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Summer in New Jersey means long, lazy days at its famous beaches.—
Rachel Chang,
AFAR Media,
2 June 2025
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Dresses should feel effortless but not lazy, and easy to wear all day.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2025
Verb
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The graduate is not only bummed about the sister’s absence.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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Everyone — from those actually paying to the ones still bumming a log-in — wants to know how Netflix and other streaming services’ crackdowns on password sharing affect them.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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For those who aren’t seeking beach time, the island also was praised for offering historic sites, golf courses and other off-shore activities.—
Simone Jasper,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
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After an off day Thursday, the Arizona Diamondbacks come to GABP for three games.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The corridor was branded as the 16th Street Mall and designed to compete with suburban development, a place to shop, dine, lounge around or walk to work.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
29 May 2025
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The boat staff is congenial and knowledgeable, so don’t hesitate to ask it about island history or to take a picture of you and your crew lounging on the deck.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Housing has emerged as a key issue in this year’s mayoral race as the city reels from skyrocketing rents and a dearth of vacant apartments, and there’s widespread agreement more units must be built.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
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Hartford Prints! has taken over a vacant storefront next door, has broken down a wall and joined the two spaces.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Orlando rested its best offensive weapons after their return from international duty, opting to save them for the second half instead.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2025
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Edman, who missed 16 games in late April and early May because of the injury, played the final three innings of Tuesday night’s 6-5, 10-inning victory over the Mets, but Roberts planned to rest him Wednesday night.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Network segmentation can prevent the spread of ransomware, so apply it. Disable all unused ports.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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While sorting through storage in their Rhode Island studio to prep those reissues, Ivy stumbled upon a treasure trove of reel-to-reel tapes and old hard drives with unused material.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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