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
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
An emotionally disturbed man swiped an idling private ambulance off a Bronx street Thursday — taking the rescue vehicle on a short joyride before crashing it into a car, police said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 28 May 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
Outside night clubs on Connecticut Avenue, girls hung out of the sunroofs of idling cars, cheering on the cops.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
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
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
An emotionally disturbed man swiped an idling private ambulance off a Bronx street Thursday — taking the rescue vehicle on a short joyride before crashing it into a car, police said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 28 May 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
Outside night clubs on Connecticut Avenue, girls hung out of the sunroofs of idling cars, cheering on the cops.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
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
-
The large private compound boasts a gym, a spa, a theater, a pool, a large terrace for lounging and barbecuing, and a personal-size soccer field.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
11 June 2026
-
Especially in this trending barrel style, these sweatpants seamlessly upgrade any airport or lounging outfit with a fashion-forward edge that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
This, though, is a curious interval for Swiss watches, those mechanical wonders, running not on batteries but on springs and gears.—
Jon Wertheim,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Users can also select between four timer settings at one-hour intervals.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Josie's newborn can be seen swaddled and resting in the bassinet in the new photos.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
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Importantly, the cannabis preferences related to resting baseline stress, not situationally induced anxiety from tasks like exercise or puzzles.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
11 Dec. 2025
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
-
After chilling, the graham crackers soften for easy slicing.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
-
The initiative risks further chilling negotiations on a truce extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and paving the way for more detailed talks over Iran’s nuclear program.—
Jennifer A. Dlouhy,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Denver Christkindlmarket Denver, Colorado Grab a hot chocolate, Bavarian-style bier, or traditional Glühwein to enjoy while strolling the Denver Christkindlmarket, taking place November 21 to December 23, 2025, at a new location at Tivoli Quad on Auraria Campus.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Visitors meet several animal ambassadors while strolling the 5-acre facility decorated for the season.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Its lilting reggae sound seems designed more for lazing around a pool (perhaps with an inflatable unicorn) than rousing the masses.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 June 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 17 Jun. 2026.
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