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idle

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verb

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
By mapping the pipeline, visualizing handoffs, limiting work in progress and setting alerts for idle work, teams can uncover hidden blockers and improve flow without extra resources. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 The Cover Screen appears when a Family Hub screen is idle. Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
Avoid excessive idling and do not top off when refueling motor vehicles. Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 The San Diego State football team, idle over the weekend, has had two weeks to prepare for this weekend’s nonconference game against Cal. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for idle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle
Adjective
  • To determine whether a branch is dead or just dormant, scrape some of the bark away.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Once the bulb has gone dormant and all the foliage has died down, carefully dig the bulb or tuber out of the ground.
    Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Having a big back refers to someone who's physically big, or who draws gentle teasing for hogging food or being lazy.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The best way to relax on a long flight or during a lazy Sunday, in my opinion, is in loungewear.
    Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Democrats’ most visible strategy appears to be trying to bum a few bucks from the grassroots—when the grassroots’ greatest power is in protest, boycott, and other unified mobilization efforts.
    Sarah Stankorb, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Alabama gave Georgia its first home loss in six years with a 24-21 constriction; Oregon rode a pair of Moores (Dante and Dakorien) to bum out Happy Valley in extra time.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The first signs that 2025 wouldn’t live up to Ferrari’s off-season hopes emerged in testing, when McLaren teased its advantage.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Perhaps not, and that was attributable to some of his off-field pursuits, as sports journalist Devin Gordon explains in one episode.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ideal for an extra bed layer on winter nights, or for lounging on the couch, choose from 32 colors and nine sizes to find your perfect fit.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Couches and daybeds to cuddle up in, chairs for dinner parties, and desks to lounge at while sipping coffee are all essential.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Ahead of this school year, MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius moved some central office staff to classroom teaching positions to fill vacant roles.
    Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • After moving to the area with his family in 2022, proprietor Andrew Pearson saw an opportunity to bring a fine dining experience to a vacant restaurant space on Main Street.
    Brennan Long, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The blue Hyundai came to rest on its roof in the shopping center parking lot in the 8700 block of La Riviera Drive just east of Watt Avenue and south of the American River.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Diego Rincon, creative director at Lifted, says the team spotted an opportunity to work up a big new hit of this ilk after ITV’s stalwart Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway was rested.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Or is there more of your unused Lethal Weapon 2 material in Play Dirty?
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Members who bought the wine should safely dispose of any unused bottles and seek a full refund of the purchase price at their nearest Costco warehouse.
    Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.

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