1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lazy
not easily aroused to action or work
an idle employee who always seems to be either on break or at lunch
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of idle
Umair Irfan, Vox, 22 Apr. 2025
Some resorts keep guests busy with a dizzying schedule of events and activities, but here, long, idle days felt, to me, like the ultimate luxury.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
The plans for the idling come weeks after a Detroit Free Press report said hundreds of BrightDrop vehicles were lining a storage lot in Flint, Michigan.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idle
Adjective
Fossil fuel industry stalwarts aren’t sitting idle either.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 22 Apr. 2025
Some resorts keep guests busy with a dizzying schedule of events and activities, but here, long, idle days felt, to me, like the ultimate luxury.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
The horrific crimes came to light after an MTA train conductor found the dead man, believed to be in his 40s, facedown on the floor of an idling R train at the Whitehall St. subway stop in lower Manhattan about 12:30 a.m.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
The plans for the idling come weeks after a Detroit Free Press report said hundreds of BrightDrop vehicles were lining a storage lot in Flint, Michigan.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle
Adjective
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Take a cutting a few inches long with several leaves to include a node (that brown bumpy thing which is a dormant growing point where the stem meets the leaf).—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
9 May 2025
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Shingles develops in people who have previously had chicken pox, a virus that remains dormant in the body after acute infections clear up and can be reactivated later in life.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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According to plans that seem about as fluid as a lazy river, this is the last year of the race at Pimlico, as it is currently constructed … or deconstructed.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
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About The Free Admission Offer The two water parks, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park are filled with rides, a lazy river, a wave pool, multiple dining options, and more.—
Megan duBois,
Southern Living,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Clyde has said that he’ll be devastated to leave his playoff booth duties behind, and local Knicks supporters who hang on his every word for six months each year are equally bummed at the prospect.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
2 May 2025
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If you’re bummed out that your hot, famous wife makes a lot of money at work, that sounds like a personal problem to me!—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Signs that frozen chicken has gone bad include freezer burn, an off smell or texture, and discoloration.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
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Winston will be an example of an off the field leader Dart can learn from, which is likely the reason for Winston earning a two-year contract compared to Wilson’s one-year deal.—
Tyler Small,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Expect loafers, sandals, and football boots, all designed to evoke the spirit of travel—whether that’s lounging poolside or exploring city streets.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
9 May 2025
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Hollies No one wants to run into a spiky holly bush while lounging in a bathing suit.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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The lot had been vacant since the early 1900s when this house was completed in 2018.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 May 2025
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In the 13th century, the papacy was vacant for almost three years before the election of Gregory X, who tightened up conclave rules.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Verb
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The student's friends took her to a nearby apartment to rest after the fall, not realizing the severity of her injuries.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
3 May 2025
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Here are six appealing hotels for families looking for a fun and stylish place in Paris to rest their heads.—
Celeste Moure,
AFAR Media,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Roseman appeared to take a more hands-on role at City Hall of late, leading to clashes with city leaders over seemingly procedural issues — among them the purchase of 37 police vehicles that, for months, sat unused at a Ford dealership in San Leandro.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
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That was a rare commodity in China 25 years ago, and the gift did not go unused.—
Steve Nadis,
Quanta Magazine,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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