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

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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

Steps from City Hall, a two-acre dirt lot once promised as a flagship downtown park instead sits fenced and idle. — Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 On the higher end, a saver would collect a little more than $2,000 in interest for essentially doing nothing but waiting out the term — money that would otherwise sit idle in a low- or no-interest account. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Verb

The roar gave way to brooms scraping asphalt, trucks idling and fans comparing videos on their phones. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026 Recursive self-improvement will transform the domains that check themselves and idle everywhere else. — Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for idle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle

Adjective

For the better part of a decade, the feud lay relatively dormant.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
Aim to water aloe vera about every two to three weeks during summer months and once a month or less when the plant is dormant in winter.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 July 2026

Definition of dormant

Adjective

In the nearly 90-second recording, Varela calls the customer service representative lazy, rude and racist and asks her for her name tag.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Summer could be the perfect time to savor just about anything—from the long, lazy days to the farmers-market-fresh flavors.

— Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 20 July 2026

Definition of lazy

Adjective

For the dozens of NHL, minor league and college players who make their off-season homes in Minnesota, informal morning skates at various arenas throughout the Twin Cities have been going on for decades.

— Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 17 July 2026
In May, the Braves have four off days and just two road trips, one to Philadelphia and Detroit followed by another to Kansas City and to New York to face the Mets.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of off

Adjective

The historic Art Deco shops fronting the new hotel along Washington that its developers were obligated to renovate remain fully vacant.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
There’s the new buildings such as Queensbridge Collective or 110 East in South End, which is about 5% vacant.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026

Definition of vacant

Verb

Broadway's glittering lights have always beckoned aspiring thespians and avid theatergoers to New York, and the city's ever exciting theatre scene is far from simply resting on its laurels.

— Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2026
Dennis Sochor, a swimming-pool cleaner, helped Patty move her ill friend into her car to rest, and Patty ultimately got in Sochor’s car, according to the Miami Herald’s archives.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Definition of rest

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“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of idle

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