as in inertia
lack of action or activity
as a result of the park department's inaction, the city's pools are not ready to open for the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 inaction
The stakes of inaction are high.
—
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Government inaction in Springfield is nothing new.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Some who support the war most vocally also invoke free-market principles as grounds for government inaction.
—David S. Cohen, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Tong noted that the issue is becoming even more important amid federal inaction on the issue.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inaction
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Government inaction in Springfield is nothing new.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Some who support the war most vocally also invoke free-market principles as grounds for government inaction.
—David S. Cohen, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Tong noted that the issue is becoming even more important amid federal inaction on the issue.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inaction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inaction
inertia
Noun
-
Any longer than that, the robot may not be able to make the necessary avoidance adjustments due to inertia.—
Lee-Lean Shu,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Not through sabotage, but through inertia.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inaction. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
