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
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.
Recent Examples of idling
Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Difficulty accelerating, misfiring, shuttering, and rough idling can indicate bad gasoline.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
Shopkeepers lightheartedly gossip in rich drawling accents, and pickup trucks make up the majority of the vehicles idling at one of the few stoplights in town.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
The filtration system must be robust enough to perform under stop-and-go driving, prolonged idling and urban pollution while also remaining effective between filter replacements.
—Anan Bishara, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Avoid excessive idling and do not top off when refueling motor vehicles.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The majority of the market is idling after a nice run to record highs and ahead of a Fed decision, while some idiosyncratic flows goose the mega-tech stocks and the S & P 500 with them.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
After that, production would temporarily cease with operations idling until October 2025 in order to complete retooling work to prepare the facility for production of the 2026 model year.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The boat was idling when his dog was hit by the blades, Johnson said in the release.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
The transcripts moved with her, idling among her papers.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Difficulty accelerating, misfiring, shuttering, and rough idling can indicate bad gasoline.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
Shopkeepers lightheartedly gossip in rich drawling accents, and pickup trucks make up the majority of the vehicles idling at one of the few stoplights in town.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
The filtration system must be robust enough to perform under stop-and-go driving, prolonged idling and urban pollution while also remaining effective between filter replacements.
—Anan Bishara, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Avoid excessive idling and do not top off when refueling motor vehicles.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The majority of the market is idling after a nice run to record highs and ahead of a Fed decision, while some idiosyncratic flows goose the mega-tech stocks and the S & P 500 with them.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
After that, production would temporarily cease with operations idling until October 2025 in order to complete retooling work to prepare the facility for production of the 2026 model year.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The boat was idling when his dog was hit by the blades, Johnson said in the release.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 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
-
No lounging at their summer homes and not even much sleeping in.—
Melonee Hurt,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The upper deck cockpit is outfitted with sofas for sky-high lounging, while the sundeck is set up for dining underneath the expansive hardtop.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Working group member and LJCPA trustee Patrick Ahern said the space would be used more for resting or a place to talk rather than recreation.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
After a moment, with the puck resting behind Hellebuyck and just in front of the goal line, Smith poked it across for his sixth goal of the season.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The researchers noted that many advanced systems – such as electromagnetic warfare simulators and particle beam platforms – require immense bursts of energy delivered with extreme precision, often at the megawatt level within microsecond or even nanosecond intervals.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
According to the zoo, orangutans have the longest interbirth interval — or period of time between babies — of all non-human primates, as mothers care for their young for seven to eight years before giving birth to another baby.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In the leadup to its debut, the Apple TV/Sony Pictures Television show has been shrouded in secrecy — a decision that lends itself supremely well to a mystery-box sci-fi thriller that is equal parts philosophical conundrum and blood-chilling horror.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Other snapshots included one of Graham chilling in a pink sweatsuit in the backseat of a car, her $1,250 dress and heels in a pile beside her.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Amazon is stocked with celeb-worthy chocolate and coffee-toned sneakers that blend comfort, support, and style—perfect for sightseeing, airport sprints, or just strolling through new cities.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
This sighting comes six days after Lawrence kicked off her Halloween celebrations early in New York, where she was spotted strolling around in a black witch hat.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share