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
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
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025
An idle case and a secret settlement Preston submitted a criminal case against Bertram to the prosecutor’s office in July 2022.
—Tony Cook, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 July 2025
They are also encouraged not to idle in vehicles as exhaust fumes can contribute to air pollution.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for idle
Adjective
Unexpected pop-ups, background noise during calls or your phone heating up even when idle can also be red flags.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025
An idle case and a secret settlement Preston submitted a criminal case against Bertram to the prosecutor’s office in July 2022.
—Tony Cook, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Verb
On air quality alert days, the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency recommends several ways community members can help reduce ozone formation, including taking the bus or biking instead of driving, not idling vehicles and refueling vehicles after 8 p.m
What is the heat index?
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 July 2025
They are also encouraged not to idle in vehicles as exhaust fumes can contribute to air pollution.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for idle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle
Adjective
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The drought put brush and other vegetation in the area into dormant, winter-like states, fire behavior analyst Kevin Thompson said during the Monday night meeting.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
12 Aug. 2025
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What should be a tender, feminist-minded story centered on a young woman rediscovering her dormant childhood dreamer turns into a middling melodrama about being with a cute guy in desperate need of her rescue.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Nearby, Splash Resort draws families and retirees alike with spacious, beachfront units and kid-friendly perks like an indoor water park, a lazy river, and a dive-in movie theater.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
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In water, adults enjoy Aurora’s partnership with SCUBA SHACK, Anguilla’s only PADI 5-Star Dive Resort, while kids find their heaven at the massive waterpark, complete with slides and a lazy river.—
Baz Dreisinger,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Sandler, because of that punim of his, is good at playing bummed, but this scene demanded more shading — anger, charm, cockiness.—
Jesse David Fox,
Vulture,
30 July 2025
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But, yeah, I was bummed to kind of put the team in that spot.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Interim manager Ray Montgomery agreed that plan made sense, despite the recent number of off days.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
12 Aug. 2025
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The game was suspended due to rain in the first inning and then completed the following afternoon, which was supposed to be an off day.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This matching set has your back for everything from lounging and running errands to exhausting travel days.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
People.com,
10 Aug. 2025
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The cafe serves coffee drinks, sandwiches and other pastries to hungry customers lounging in its large outdoor patio.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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One of the buildings next door was evacuated, while the other was vacant.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Aug. 2025
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Last week, the university eliminated more than 400 positions, half of which were already vacant.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Following a procession in his hometown in Birmingham, England, he was laid to rest on the estate of his home in Buckinghamshire on July 31.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
7 Aug. 2025
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Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, was baptized at Indian Rocks Church in 2023, and he was laid to rest there surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In the city of Cluj, located within the country’s Transylvania region, a bailiff named Orsolya (Eszter Tompa) evicts the homeless Ion (Gabriel Spahiu) from the unused cellar of a local house to make way for the construction of the Kontinental boutique hotel.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Any unused bonus bets will expire after that period of time.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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