idled

past tense of idle

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 And Mersan & Tümkalıp, another machinery purveyor, is reputedly negotiating assistance deals to retroactively modernize damaged production lines that idled during the war years. Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026 When a power outage knocked out a third of San Francisco’s traffic lights last December, at least 60 Waymos abruptly idled mid-road, causing severe gridlock and delays. Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026 The former home of Belden had a commercial use in recent years and idled for six years before being acquired by his group. Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026 The plant, which has been idled since 2023, will build the next-generation Jeep Cherokee. Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2026 The slowdown also idled, at least temporarily, about 1,500 workers at the Bally’s Chicago site this week. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 The Dolphins hope Willis still can become a late bloomer a la Sam Darnold, who struggled and idled early in his career, made his first Pro Bowl at Willis’ age and won a Super Bowl with Seattle last season. Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026 The sheer number of ships − study authors cite at least 1,500 vessels − idled near the trade route and the length of time involved are just the beginning. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026 Bercich said the day the Metrodome roof caved in, Ryan’s car idled on the side of the road, unable to handle the onslaught of snow. Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idled
Verb
  • In another photo, the 21-year-old model lounged on the floor with her head propped on one hand while wearing a pair of pastel blue heels and a cream cardigan.
    Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Once, Navarrete represented a client virtually from a hotel room, a work jacket over her swimsuit while the rest of her family lounged at the beach.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But, lucky for anyone who dawdled, many of the deals are still active.
    Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 June 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The pigs that would soon enough become lunch lazed in the compost-pile mud in front of a five-star-hotel-worthy view of the Cretan Sea.
    Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026
  • Further on, sandy-colored cows lazed in the mid-morning sun.
    Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Braun strolled alongside Sweeney in a pair of beige suede boat shoes.
    Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Once the final paddle was raised, the crowd strolled over to the President’s Suite in Arthur Ashe Stadium for dessert, Honey Deuces, and a front row seat to the nail-biting Djokovic-Navone match.
    Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Despite wearing a cap chilled to 15 degrees for several hours at every infusion, my long red hair fell almost entirely out by January, taking with it any part of me that still felt like a woman at all.
    Elizabeth Nicholas, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026
  • People can also soak their clothing in cold water or apply an iced or chilled damp towel on their body.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • McGowan remembers one visit when Pearl gently rested her head in a woman’s lap at a senior facility and kept returning to her throughout the visit.
    Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Trying to take the lead in the eighth inning, especially with closer Josh Hader rested and looming to pitch the ninth, seemed prudent.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Black Frankenstein, Superfly Snuka droned, without looking up from his clipboard.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Helicopters roar overhead, reminding me that last week people were worried the Oscars were going to get droned.
    Rachel Handler, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Richard Heathcote/Getty Images The 25-year-old was often rotated and played only 2,623 minutes across Ligue 1 and the Champions League but still managed 18 goals and 10 assists.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Sabalenka held and then played one of her best games of the match, breaking at love to tie it at 4-all.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Idled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idled. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster