as in lounging
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of idling
Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 18 Nov. 2025
Anna Kleiber, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
More than two dozen residents who spoke with NBC News describe officers in unmarked cars idling on neighborhood streets and agents going door to door.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
Multiple unmarked federal vehicles are idling on the road nearby.
—Claire Galofaro, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Later, the women were in a idling vehicle when Brown allegedly left his Jeep, walked toward them and fired at the car, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
David McNew / Getty Images Marquez helped convert Pasadena's fire fleet to renewable diesel fuel so that his crews wouldn't keep breathing in the emissions from idling trucks.
—Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Yamaha’s setup is even tamer – relying on a Starter Motor Generator (SMG) paired with a conventional small-displacement commuter ICE that’s only meant to kick in with mild electric assist while idling and letting the clutch out.
—New Atlas, 29 Dec. 2025
Waymo’s self-driving robotaxis can successfully nail a tricky left turn, weave through lanes to drop you off at the airport, and safely pass a U-Haul that’s idling in the middle of the street.
—Patrick George, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
Two other girls were idling in a car parked out front, waiting for her, playing music.
—Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025
Noun
There is no penalty associated with unattended idling in state statute, however, individual municipalities have ordinances in place with fines for the action.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 18 Nov. 2025
Verb
Why are states trying to reduce car idling?
—Anna Kleiber, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
More than two dozen residents who spoke with NBC News describe officers in unmarked cars idling on neighborhood streets and agents going door to door.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
Multiple unmarked federal vehicles are idling on the road nearby.
—Claire Galofaro, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Later, the women were in a idling vehicle when Brown allegedly left his Jeep, walked toward them and fired at the car, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
David McNew / Getty Images Marquez helped convert Pasadena's fire fleet to renewable diesel fuel so that his crews wouldn't keep breathing in the emissions from idling trucks.
—Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Yamaha’s setup is even tamer – relying on a Starter Motor Generator (SMG) paired with a conventional small-displacement commuter ICE that’s only meant to kick in with mild electric assist while idling and letting the clutch out.
—New Atlas, 29 Dec. 2025
Waymo’s self-driving robotaxis can successfully nail a tricky left turn, weave through lanes to drop you off at the airport, and safely pass a U-Haul that’s idling in the middle of the street.
—Patrick George, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
Two other girls were idling in a car parked out front, waiting for her, playing music.
—Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idling
Verb
-
Within a few moments, an antlerless deer emerged, loafing along toward Ronnie, completely unalarmed.—
Jim Moore,
Outdoor Life,
8 Oct. 2025
-
She is seen going over the shots planned for the next day and remembering that some loafing around is planned.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Like that megayacht, the owner’s suite forward connects to a private deck with a Jacuzzi and a cinema screen for some secluded lounging.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The oversized armrests, soft curves, and swivel function culminate in a piece that makes even casual lounging look like an Instagrammable moment.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to resting, the singer was also told not to drink or smoke.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Denver pushed the lead to seven with Porter resting early in the fourth.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But his season’s been interrupted at two different intervals, with rib and hamstring injuries.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
-
One study, with adolescents, used the experience sampling method, in which people answer questions at random intervals throughout the day.—
Michael Prinzing,
The Conversation,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Faster pit stops could also help unlock sales for electric two-wheelers, which have been slow to catch on due to dawdling charge times and limited riding range.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Mar. 2023
Verb
-
Astringent Hachiya persimmons must fully soften at room temperature before eating because chilling too early locks in bitterness.—
Randi Gollin,
Martha Stewart,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Adding a splash of ice water and chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, resulting in the perfect texture.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After 2022’s Grammy-winning Harry’s House and its attendant 22-month Love On Tour, Harry Styles all but vanished from public view, with only the occasional pap shot—strolling Rome’s cobblestones or cutting across Hampstead in an ever-expanding collection of sneakerinas—serving as proof of life.—
Daniel Rodgers,
Vogue,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Only a few years ago, seeing scores of women strolling around New York City in real animal fur coats would have seemed unimaginable.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Its clear, shallow waters were pleasant to wade into after lazing under one of the scrubby trees on the sand.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
15 Nov. 2025
-
And poor, engine‑damaging quality or not, the ersatz aviation fuel had to work only once to get a kamikaze plane up and away to hit one of the enemy warships now lazing about in the offing around the Home Islands, often close enough to be spotted from shore with the naked eye.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idling. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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