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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 idled
Government number crunchers were temporarily idled in October, so were unable to collect housing prices that month.
—
Scott Horsley, NPR, 12 May 2026
The bus idled in a parking lot while the driver, Evan Prothero, and the choir director deliberated.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Three years earlier, Russian aluminum manufacturer Rusal had idled its Eurallumina factory nearby.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
On a cold, drizzly December day in 2022, Demonbreun-Chapman idled his boat on the Coosawattee River, a waterway that feeds into the Conasauga near Calhoun.
—Dylan Jackson, ABC News, 6 May 2026
Inside, shag-pile carpeting flowed lavishly across floors and walls, chandeliers sparkled like diamonds, and a legion of marble statues idled as if awaiting the reboot of the Roman Empire.
—Zoey Goto, Architectural Digest, 6 May 2026
Uneven job growth The Fed is also keeping an eye on the labor market, which has idled amid economic uncertainty, uneven payroll gains and the emergence of artificial intelligence.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Last Tuesday, as the minute hand ticked toward the end of the initial cease-fire, Vance’s plane idled on the runway, ready to fly him to peace talks in Pakistan.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Days passed and bombs kept falling, while oil tankers idled on either side of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had effectively closed in retaliation for the war launched by Israel and the United States.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Scott Horsley, NPR, 12 May 2026
The bus idled in a parking lot while the driver, Evan Prothero, and the choir director deliberated.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Three years earlier, Russian aluminum manufacturer Rusal had idled its Eurallumina factory nearby.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
On a cold, drizzly December day in 2022, Demonbreun-Chapman idled his boat on the Coosawattee River, a waterway that feeds into the Conasauga near Calhoun.
—Dylan Jackson, ABC News, 6 May 2026
Inside, shag-pile carpeting flowed lavishly across floors and walls, chandeliers sparkled like diamonds, and a legion of marble statues idled as if awaiting the reboot of the Roman Empire.
—Zoey Goto, Architectural Digest, 6 May 2026
Uneven job growth The Fed is also keeping an eye on the labor market, which has idled amid economic uncertainty, uneven payroll gains and the emergence of artificial intelligence.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Last Tuesday, as the minute hand ticked toward the end of the initial cease-fire, Vance’s plane idled on the runway, ready to fly him to peace talks in Pakistan.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Days passed and bombs kept falling, while oil tankers idled on either side of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had effectively closed in retaliation for the war launched by Israel and the United States.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idled
Verb
-
The fluffy black dog lounged on a dog bed near the couch in Landowski’s living room during an interview with the Star-Telegram.—
Tanya Babbar,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
-
While posing for a photo in 1955, Monroe lounged on a carpet in a red brocade gown and black leather gloves.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The candidate strolled in with a videographer and photographer.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
In the name of growth and connectivity, the North Carolina Department of Transportation strolled through McCrorey Heights and other neighborhoods telling, not asking, residents to leave.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 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
-
Gradually stream 1⅓ cups chilled heavy cream into bowl, tossing flour mixture constantly with a fork to distribute.—
Claire Saffitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 May 2026
-
If ribs are chilled, remove and discard plastic wrap.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Further on, sandy-colored cows lazed in the mid-morning sun.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trial cut short by defense The trial was scheduled for five weeks but ended early when her defense team rested its case without calling any witnesses.—
Hannah Schoenbaum,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Richins did not testify, and her defense team rested without calling any witnesses.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Helicopters roar overhead, reminding me that last week people were worried the Oscars were going to get droned.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Temperatures rose above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, air conditioners droned, and power cuts followed.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Chris Sanon, the Orlando area’s leader in sacks a year ago, played well in his move to linebacker from edge rusher.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
He’s only played in four major championships in his career.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idled. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
