as in lounged
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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Recent Examples of idled
Takaichi also promised to speed the restart of reactors idled since the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in 2011.
—
Reuters, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
In February 2023, Stellantis idled the assembly plant near Rockford and laid off its last 1,200 workers after halting production of the Cherokee amid dwindling sales.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Staff members watched from the doorway while two white school security SUVs idled nearby.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Adding to the complexity of the situation, a new California law, SB 237, now requires oil facilities idled for five years or more on January 1 to obtain a permit from the California Coastal Commission before restarting operations.
—Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Some unmarked government vehicles idled; others drove around.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
In April, Riyadh and its partners stunned crude traders by rapidly restarting production idled since 2023 despite signs that world markets were comfortably supplied.
—Grant Smith, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2026
The factory idled operations there in 2023 and 2024.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 6 Dec. 2025
Then there are also those that have idled quietly in the background—neither in nor out of style—waiting on their comeback moment.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025
Reuters, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
In February 2023, Stellantis idled the assembly plant near Rockford and laid off its last 1,200 workers after halting production of the Cherokee amid dwindling sales.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Staff members watched from the doorway while two white school security SUVs idled nearby.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Adding to the complexity of the situation, a new California law, SB 237, now requires oil facilities idled for five years or more on January 1 to obtain a permit from the California Coastal Commission before restarting operations.
—Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Some unmarked government vehicles idled; others drove around.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
In April, Riyadh and its partners stunned crude traders by rapidly restarting production idled since 2023 despite signs that world markets were comfortably supplied.
—Grant Smith, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2026
The factory idled operations there in 2023 and 2024.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 6 Dec. 2025
Then there are also those that have idled quietly in the background—neither in nor out of style—waiting on their comeback moment.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idled
Verb
-
Nearby, people and their dogs who had moved into the shelter for the duration of the war lounged on air mattresses, scrolling through their phones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Just days after hard-launching her relationship with French filmmaker Romain Gavras, EmRata lounged in a plunging plush white robe while wearing nothing but some sparkling loud luxury accessories.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As for the living, two roaches strolled on top of an in-use oven and on the side of an oven door in a back prep area.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
-
When the show opened in the Expo Hall on Thursday, patrons Michael and Kriss Buzzell of Antioch strolled around the showroom floor.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Flight attendants turned into drill sergeants, barking at passengers who flouted mask rules or dawdled too long eating that snack with the mask off.—
Thomas Black,
Twin Cities,
21 Dec. 2025
-
Fava snuffled and dawdled and took her own sweet time up the sidewalk.—
Dan Kois,
New Yorker,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
It can be enjoyed warm or chilled, whichever better suits your schedule.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
-
While sake is often associated with being served warm, the selections that night were chilled to complement the bluefin.—
J.M. Banks
March 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Further on, sandy-colored cows lazed in the mid-morning sun.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
South Africa is at full-strength side with recalls for Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj, who were all rested for the last Super Eight game against Zimbabwe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
With tougher fixtures in the back-end of the week, Arteta rested Rice against Forest to keep him fresh.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Temperatures rose above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, air conditioners droned, and power cuts followed.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Biel, who played so well in 2025 Charlotte FC brought him back on permanent transfer in 2026, received a pass from Ashley Westwood on a set play and fired a shot into the back of the net.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The two teams played their Class 6A Division ll girls state championship basketball game at the Alamodome in San Antonio on March 7, 2026.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idled. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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