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
Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 18 Nov. 2025
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
But what is the typical fine amount for idling — and what is idling even considered in New York City?
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Carpooling, using public transit, avoiding unnecessary idling, and delaying refueling your vehicle until later in the day can all help reduce ozone buildup.
—David Yeomans, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Dreams aren’t the brain idling.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2026
Outside night clubs on Connecticut Avenue, girls hung out of the sunroofs of idling cars, cheering on the cops.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Parked beneath an overpass in central Tehran, 56-year-old Hossein Farmani was idling alongside other taxi drivers waiting for customers.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Instead of semi-trailer rigs spewing air pollutants while idling at the warehouses, data centers pull enormous amounts of electricity, housing computer systems that help train artificial intelligence criteria.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Is idling better than restarting my engine?
—Idaho Statesman, 11 May 2026
Noun
There is no penalty associated with unattended idling in state statute, however, individual municipalities have ordinances in place with fines for the action.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 18 Nov. 2025
Verb
An emotionally disturbed man swiped an idling private ambulance off a Bronx street Thursday — taking the rescue vehicle on a short joyride before crashing it into a car, police said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
But what is the typical fine amount for idling — and what is idling even considered in New York City?
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Carpooling, using public transit, avoiding unnecessary idling, and delaying refueling your vehicle until later in the day can all help reduce ozone buildup.
—David Yeomans, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Dreams aren’t the brain idling.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2026
Outside night clubs on Connecticut Avenue, girls hung out of the sunroofs of idling cars, cheering on the cops.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Parked beneath an overpass in central Tehran, 56-year-old Hossein Farmani was idling alongside other taxi drivers waiting for customers.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Instead of semi-trailer rigs spewing air pollutants while idling at the warehouses, data centers pull enormous amounts of electricity, housing computer systems that help train artificial intelligence criteria.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Is idling better than restarting my engine?
—Idaho Statesman, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idling
Noun
-
The researchers concluded that at least one of the keys to preventing social loafing is restoring individual responsibility within a group.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
BigMouth Butter Stick Inflatable Pool Noodle An inflatable pool noodle is just the right summer accessory for lounging around in the water or swimming in style.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 May 2026
-
Some of the episode’s interiors were built alongside the regular Widow’s Bay sets, so breaks for her –– while costumed in 18th century clothing –– were spent taking a breather on a city hall desk or lounging on a couch that would certainly be out of place in 1702.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The long necklace, from around 1910, has seed pearl linking, which is accented at intervals by scroll and floral spacers.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
-
Rosatom is developing a floating power unit for international markets with a capacity of 100 MWe, 10-year refueling intervals, and a 60-year service life.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Suitable gifts for this guy—a barbecue blanket for resting meats, or a selection of dry rubs geared to smoking.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Once onboard your pet, both male and female fleas feed at the first opportunity, typically when your pet is resting, says Benson.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Faster pit stops could also help unlock sales for electric two-wheelers, which have been slow to catch on due to dawdling charge times and limited riding range.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Mar. 2023
Verb
-
For longer storage, ripe tomatoes can be kept in the refrigerator, but note that chilling can dull their flavor and change their texture.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
-
After chilling overnight, the patties are seared on a flattop to medium-rare for a crispy, peppery crust and smoky, juicy interior.—
Sam Flemming,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Cue the family strolling through the superstore and shopping.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
-
The model wore a slinky black dress by Massimo Dutti while strolling around the town.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Its clear, shallow waters were pleasant to wade into after lazing under one of the scrubby trees on the sand.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
15 Nov. 2025
-
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 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
