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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of idle
Scott Ellis, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
There might be eight more years before YouTube superstar MrBeast can officially run for President of the United States, but that doesn’t mean the creator is sitting idle.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
The number-crunching bureau at the Labor Department is one of many government agencies idled by the shutdown.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idle
Adjective
Money that could strengthen communities or fund innovation instead sits idle, protected by leverage and loopholes.
—Scott Ellis, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
There might be eight more years before YouTube superstar MrBeast can officially run for President of the United States, but that doesn’t mean the creator is sitting idle.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
Shopkeepers lightheartedly gossip in rich drawling accents, and pickup trucks make up the majority of the vehicles idling at one of the few stoplights in town.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
The number-crunching bureau at the Labor Department is one of many government agencies idled by the shutdown.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle
Adjective
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The latent varicella zoster virus lies dormant in the body after a person has chicken pox.—
Amy McGorry,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Planting Too Late The best time to plant fruit trees is in spring or fall, when the trees are dormant and the weather is still mild.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Endorsing lazy rightwing talking points about Biden and border security, and nations not existing without borders?—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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On an underneath throw to Zach Ertz from Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, Bland cut off the lazy throw and returned it 68 yards for his sixth career interception return for a touchdown.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Democrats’ most visible strategy appears to be trying to bum a few bucks from the grassroots—when the grassroots’ greatest power is in protest, boycott, and other unified mobilization efforts.—
Sarah Stankorb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Alabama gave Georgia its first home loss in six years with a 24-21 constriction; Oregon rode a pair of Moores (Dante and Dakorien) to bum out Happy Valley in extra time.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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On the right side of the room, a steel cut image is projected from the wall with fiberglass rods arranged in an off center trapezoid.—
Mario Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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And then the third Wednesday is an off week.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The final scenes show the three dogs completely inseparable — playing, lounging, and moving together like a pack.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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As seen on her Instagram Stories, Bella shared a video of her big sister lounging in sweats while smiling and eating pizza on their couch.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And after signing Christian Braun to a five-year, $125 million rookie extension before the deadline last Monday, Denver is already up against it — with 11 roster spots penciled in and four spots vacant.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
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Carlsbad has owned the vacant land since at least the 1980s.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The pillows are also resistant to shifting and lumping, so the filling will remain evenly balanced, providing a reliably cozy place to rest your head every night.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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The bronze statue, commissioned by the owner of baby products brand Frida and sculpted by Rayvenn Shaleigha D’Clark, depicts a topless woman, holding her baby in one arm, while the other rests on her hip.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Grandma's careful planning meant that nothing went unused—a lesson that still applies today.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Kentucky Speedway, which once drew thousands of fans, is mostly unused after its last race in 2020.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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