1
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
the car was idle for two weeks while they went on vacation the company's competitors have not been idle in developing rival products
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lazy
not easily aroused to action or work
an idle employee who always seems to be either on break or at lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to lazy
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of idle
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
Standard charging can slow things down if trucks have to sit idle for too long.
—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
22 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for idle
Adjective
That’s 10 years of farming around idle pump jacks and tabulating acres damaged by fluid leaks.
—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
Standard charging can slow things down if trucks have to sit idle for too long.
—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
22 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for idle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle
Adjective
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Some of the renovations have been successful; fountains are running anew, including the long-dormant cascading water feature at the city’s popular Meridian Hill Park.
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Our bedroom is obviously dormant and dead, but that’s ok too.
Adjective
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And just like Alito, some members of my family have forgotten our history and support Trump or favor some of his immigration policies, dismissing new arrivals as criminals or lazy.
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Today, the park operates more than 40 family-friendly water attractions including thrilling slides, casual pools and a lazy river.
Verb
-
Great, for once the Leafs won’t bum me out!
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Some were drawn first to the language and its interna ideo, only to later realize the travel benefits involved; others had learned the language specifically to bum around.
Adjective
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Sooryavanshi missed his first two balls and got off the mark with a sketchy inside edge that pinged past his off stump.
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If your student has an off-campus job or a position that requires them to work odd hours, a car might be worth the expense and hassle.
Verb
-
Featuring adjustable spaghetti straps, two handy pockets, and a pretty floral print, this romper makes an easy and comfortable outfit for beach days, running errands, or just lounging at home.
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On July 2, Hudson, 47, shared a photo of herself on Instagram lounging by the pool with her 7-year-old daughter Rani Rose Hudson Fujikawa in matching summer outfits during a family vacation in Athens, Greece.
Adjective
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Now, owners face rising costs and limited revenue, leading to over 57,000 vacant units.
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When Vine Street Brewing opened in a long-vacant building in 2023, redevelopment in the district was still gaining momentum.
Verb
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Allow the ribs to rest at room temperature while preparing the smoker.
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Norway, which rested starter and fan-favorite Erling Haaland for its group play finale against France on Friday, June 26, is looking to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since 1998.
Adjective
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In a post shared on X on Wednesday, July 1, Mamdani urged New Yorkers to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees, reduce electricity use and unplug unused electronics as temperatures continue to climb.
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Pay close attention to apps that mention bandwidth sharing, proxy access or earning rewards from unused internet.
Cite this Entry
“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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