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
Relevance
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
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 idle
Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025
The flashes of light were also observed on the idle transmission tower.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 8 Jan. 2025
That left local soundstages dark, production crews idle and returned the level of Hollywood’s local production spend in Canada, which includes visual effects production, to pre-pandemic levels after last year’s labor disruption in Los Angeles and a sharp industry slowdown.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for idle
Adjective
Even in low-light conditions, the panel can still generate power, sustaining battery charge when the PC is idle.
—Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025
The flashes of light were also observed on the idle transmission tower.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
In the previous episode of General Hospital, which aired Monday, Michael Corinthos (Chad Duell) is shown idling in the penthouse of his adoptive father, Sonny (Maurice Benard).
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 8 Jan. 2025
That left local soundstages dark, production crews idle and returned the level of Hollywood’s local production spend in Canada, which includes visual effects production, to pre-pandemic levels after last year’s labor disruption in Los Angeles and a sharp industry slowdown.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for idle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle
Adjective
-
Producing companies can maintain decent drilling programs at $70 oil, but most of the currently active rigs would quickly go dormant at $50 per barrel.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Obligate diapause solves this by ensuring that the whole population goes dormant just before pupation, the final transformation from larva to adult.—
Cody Cottier,
Discover Magazine,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
James River Virginia Flowing right through Richmond, the James River is an urban tubing experience with scenic views of the Richmond skyline and a mix of lazy sections and small rapids.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Some scammers are truly lazy, as was the case here, and don’t even try to obfuscate it.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Journey fans were bummed when their favorite band had to hot-foot it off the stage on Friday (March 14) just five songs into their set at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Stadium.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Yoshi’s bummed about being denied a puppy by her parents, tempers her anger and fills the void with a scavenger hunt in her backyard that turns up a lizard (Laggie) and a cricket (Grillo).—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Stewart’s on-field production left a lot to be desired last year, but his motor doesn’t have an off switch.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Park officials later discovered the remains in the original search area using a human remains detection canine during an off-trail grid search.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The low-slung wood frame just begs to be lounged upon, while the white water-resistant cushions add a clean finish.—
Will Porter,
Architectural Digest,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The clip starts with Smith lounging in a Thai hotel swimming pool.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The council recently appointed Roberts to fill a vacant seat.—
Greg Wehner,
Fox News,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Tourists will still come by the thousands to admire the monuments, even if some of the big stone buildings turn vacant, like the ruins of the Roman Forum.—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The model could be seen posing in a black bodysuit and snapped a picture of herself in the mirror, featuring her dog, who rested on a blanket.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
17 Mar. 2025
-
There are different types of motivation for perfectionism that rest on opposite sides of a dimension.—
Eric Wood,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In some cases unused funds can fund a Roth IRA for the beneficiary.—
Brian Boswell,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Before placing these cool-weather items away, take a few minutes to declutter and determine if any items went unused.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share