1
as in inertia
an inclination not to do work or engage in activities
the brothers' innate idleness meant that neither did much, either inside or outside their ramshackle cabin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inaction
lack of action or activity
a day spent in idleness is nice, but a month of doing nothing is boring!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in neglect
lack of use
the idleness of the machine was apparent by its thick layer of dust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idleness
Noun
-
By adopting agile practices, piloting with key teams and scaling gradually, companies can overcome inertia and roll out effective programs.—
Sagi Eliyahu,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025 -
Its spinning machinery adds natural inertia to the grid.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Smaller companies operating across multiple jurisdictions often struggle to stay up-to-speed on the complex patchwork of state and city-level regulations, resulting in inertia or inaction.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
7 Aug. 2025
-
As a reporter covering state government and state agencies, Laura Schulte is busy working the hallways of the state Capitol in Madison, the campaign trail during Wisconsin elections and the woods, fields and streams of the state impacted by the actions and inactions of government.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Her charges include one count of child neglect, three counts of felony animal neglect and four counts of misdemeanor animal neglect, and her bond is set at $36,000.—
Elizabeth Pritchett,
FOXNews.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The toddler’s foster father, Brian Dalton, was arrested and charged with child abuse and neglect, as well as involuntary manslaughter, according to information provided by the Amherst County Sheriff's Office.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
To tunnel inside a Chekhov story is to feel a narrowing that confounds and vexes us—whether through poverty, despair, indolence, or self-delusion—and, simultaneously, to taste the boundlessness of human longing.—
Philip Metres
July 30,
Literary Hub,
30 July 2025
-
The world does seem full of unhappiness and tragedy, much of it human-caused, either through outright cruelty or through the indolence of our illusions.—
Philip Metres
July 30,
Literary Hub,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
After falling into disuse in the late 20th century, the Corn Exchange has undergone a thoughtful revival.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
Many vineyards fell into disuse and were abandoned during Prohibition, which lasted from 1920 until December 1933.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
The parent author is a person whose actions are often not propelled by the self but the baby, a being whose influence on language seems to be one of frequent interruption or even abandonment.—
Ellyn Gaydos
August 11,
Literary Hub,
11 Aug. 2025
-
After decades of abandonment and decay, the historic complex of Rockville mills in the northern end of Vernon soon could be getting closer to restorations as part of a 214-unit apartment complex along with shops, a restaurant and small businesses.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
8 Aug. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Idleness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idleness. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share