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
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026
Last week's sell-off was triggered on Wednesday by idling – though robust – revenue projections from chipmaker Broadcom and may have been exacerbated by a call from artificial intelligence startup Anthropic for the sector to slow down its pace of advancements .
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 9 June 2026
The problem is that powering up the engines, idling them, and then using their massive power just to trundle around the tarmac is scarcely economical.
—David Szondy
june 07, New Atlas, 7 June 2026
Detour opens with Petras laying down the gauntlet while idling on the edge of an enormous cliff.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
His team closely monitors tire pressure on every bus and keeps a watchful eye on idling times.
—CBS News, 2 June 2026
But what is the typical fine amount for idling — and what is idling even considered in New York City?
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Dreams aren’t the brain idling.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2026
These include avoiding idling in drive-thru lanes, carpooling, taking public transit or walking, and biking for short trips.
—Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 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
The roar gave way to brooms scraping asphalt, trucks idling and fans comparing videos on their phones.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026
Last week's sell-off was triggered on Wednesday by idling – though robust – revenue projections from chipmaker Broadcom and may have been exacerbated by a call from artificial intelligence startup Anthropic for the sector to slow down its pace of advancements .
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 9 June 2026
The problem is that powering up the engines, idling them, and then using their massive power just to trundle around the tarmac is scarcely economical.
—David Szondy
june 07, New Atlas, 7 June 2026
Detour opens with Petras laying down the gauntlet while idling on the edge of an enormous cliff.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
His team closely monitors tire pressure on every bus and keeps a watchful eye on idling times.
—CBS News, 2 June 2026
But what is the typical fine amount for idling — and what is idling even considered in New York City?
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Dreams aren’t the brain idling.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2026
These include avoiding idling in drive-thru lanes, carpooling, taking public transit or walking, and biking for short trips.
—Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idling
Noun
-
The researchers concluded that at least one of the keys to preventing social loafing is restoring individual responsibility within a group.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Based on the Los Angeles and Atlanta terminals, travelers on domestic flights typically spend one hour lounging before going through security, and those on international flights take about 90 minutes, Porter said.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
-
Beautifully landscaped, it shifts from shallow lounging areas suitable for children into deeper sections for proper swimming.—
Arion McNicoll,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Lower-risk bridges with lighter traffic and sound materials may qualify for longer intervals.—
Alex Krasnok,
The Conversation,
19 June 2026
-
At intervals John would shamble around the stage in a cruel parody of a disabled person, which in those days offended no one.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The movie ends with a shot of the girls sitting by the pool, with Sonya’s head resting on Coley’s shoulder.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
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The pieces can be separated to create extra resting space during meal prep or repurposed as vessels for nuts or olives at your next happy hour.—
Mina Dragani,
Architectural Digest,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Indeed, Ederson has moments where he can be caught dawdling with the ball, hoping for an opening that doesn’t always arrive.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But the effect on small businesses has been chilling, with thousands simply halting trade with the EU altogether, and still more considering it.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
-
Ice bags and cold towels may make players feel cooler, but experts say briefly chilling a small patch of skin does not necessarily pull much heat from the body’s core.—
Chris Stokel-Walker,
Scientific American,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The 119-acre lakefront park, which is actually a peninsula, not an island, features more than 150 varieties of native plants, 20,000 trees and shrubs, a 5-acre pond, strolling paths, and wild prairie grasses and savanna.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
The Pier Village downtown is great for spending an afternoon shopping, strolling, and sipping.—
Valerie Fraser Luesse,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The sense of just how much there is to do in this part of the world—the length of the scale between lazing and becoming ultra-active—is palpable.—
Lauren Keith,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Idling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idling. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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