as in lounged
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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Recent Examples of idled
What was supposed to be an uneventful first voyage transporting oil across the Persian Gulf has turned into a nightmare for a 28-year-old sailor from India, who has spent the past month stuck as his ship sits idled by the Iran war.
—
Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
But even Japan, which idled all its plants after that disaster, is restarting its nuclear plants.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The country’s already cratering economy now teeters on the verge of collapse, with vehicles idled by a lack of gas, hospitals forced to cancel surgeries and millions living without a steady supply of electricity and water.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2026
Worries that prices at the pump could soar past $5 emerge as tankers remain idled and the outlook for a quick resolution dims.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2026
Delivery boats idled with engines cut.
—Vic O'Sullivan, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026
In February 2023, Stellantis idled the assembly plant near Rockford and laid off its last 1,200 workers after halting production of the Cherokee amid dwindling sales.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Adding to the complexity of the situation, a new California law, SB 237, now requires oil facilities idled for five years or more on January 1 to obtain a permit from the California Coastal Commission before restarting operations.
—Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Some unmarked government vehicles idled; others drove around.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
But even Japan, which idled all its plants after that disaster, is restarting its nuclear plants.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The country’s already cratering economy now teeters on the verge of collapse, with vehicles idled by a lack of gas, hospitals forced to cancel surgeries and millions living without a steady supply of electricity and water.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2026
Worries that prices at the pump could soar past $5 emerge as tankers remain idled and the outlook for a quick resolution dims.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2026
Delivery boats idled with engines cut.
—Vic O'Sullivan, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026
In February 2023, Stellantis idled the assembly plant near Rockford and laid off its last 1,200 workers after halting production of the Cherokee amid dwindling sales.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Adding to the complexity of the situation, a new California law, SB 237, now requires oil facilities idled for five years or more on January 1 to obtain a permit from the California Coastal Commission before restarting operations.
—Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Some unmarked government vehicles idled; others drove around.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idled
Verb
-
Nearby, people and their dogs who had moved into the shelter for the duration of the war lounged on air mattresses, scrolling through their phones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Just days after hard-launching her relationship with French filmmaker Romain Gavras, EmRata lounged in a plunging plush white robe while wearing nothing but some sparkling loud luxury accessories.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
On Monday, Rangers manager Skip Schumaker strolled to the mound in the fifth inning to tell his pitcher Carter Baumler something.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Madison Booker set the Longhorns' scoring record for the NCAA Tournament as Texas shook off an early test from Oregon and strolled to 100-58 victory at Moody Center.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Flight attendants turned into drill sergeants, barking at passengers who flouted mask rules or dawdled too long eating that snack with the mask off.—
Thomas Black,
Twin Cities,
21 Dec. 2025
-
Fava snuffled and dawdled and took her own sweet time up the sidewalk.—
Dan Kois,
New Yorker,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In this dense, sparkling web of pipes, tanks, and cooling towers spread over 500 acres, natural gas drawn from around the US is chilled to roughly the surface temperature of the dark side of the moon, liquefied, and pumped into tankers that carry it to the global market.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In those pioneer days of electric home refrigeration, everyone’s favorite new kitchen appliance relied on highly toxic, flammable, or corrosive gases to keep food chilled.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Further on, sandy-colored cows lazed in the mid-morning sun.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But he’s never rested on those past accomplishments, either.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
After the state rested its case, prosecutors pointed to Emile Konig’s testimony as a critical piece of evidence supporting their narrative of what happened.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Helicopters roar overhead, reminding me that last week people were worried the Oscars were going to get droned.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Temperatures rose above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, air conditioners droned, and power cuts followed.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Timberwolves also played without starting forward Jaden McDaniels (right knee soreness) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (right calf soreness).—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Neither Green nor Booker played in the fourth quarter as the Suns cruised to the victory.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idled. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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