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
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Recent Examples of idling
Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
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 filtration system must be robust enough to perform under stop-and-go driving, prolonged idling and urban pollution while also remaining effective between filter replacements.
—Anan Bishara, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Avoid excessive idling and do not top off when refueling motor vehicles.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The majority of the market is idling after a nice run to record highs and ahead of a Fed decision, while some idiosyncratic flows goose the mega-tech stocks and the S & P 500 with them.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
After that, production would temporarily cease with operations idling until October 2025 in order to complete retooling work to prepare the facility for production of the 2026 model year.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Service is also a realistic story about a frustrated middle-aged former journalist and aspiring novelist idling in an ultra-low-paying job.
—Susan Coll
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
The boat was idling when his dog was hit by the blades, Johnson said in the release.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
Difficulty accelerating, misfiring, shuttering, and rough idling can indicate bad gasoline.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
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 filtration system must be robust enough to perform under stop-and-go driving, prolonged idling and urban pollution while also remaining effective between filter replacements.
—Anan Bishara, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Avoid excessive idling and do not top off when refueling motor vehicles.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The majority of the market is idling after a nice run to record highs and ahead of a Fed decision, while some idiosyncratic flows goose the mega-tech stocks and the S & P 500 with them.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
After that, production would temporarily cease with operations idling until October 2025 in order to complete retooling work to prepare the facility for production of the 2026 model year.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Service is also a realistic story about a frustrated middle-aged former journalist and aspiring novelist idling in an ultra-low-paying job.
—Susan Coll
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
The boat was idling when his dog was hit by the blades, Johnson said in the release.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idling
Verb
-
Within a few moments, an antlerless deer emerged, loafing along toward Ronnie, completely unalarmed.—
Jim Moore,
Outdoor Life,
8 Oct. 2025
-
She is seen going over the shots planned for the next day and remembering that some loafing around is planned.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Baggy fits, soft fabrics, and thoughtful design make lounging, low-key workouts, or spontaneous errands feel effortless.—
Katie Ann Lehman,
StyleCaster,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The main house features floor-to-ceiling glass to take in the water views, with multiple balconies and decks for alfresco dining and lounging.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Another image showed a photo of two people resting their feet on an outdoor fire pit, overlooking a river.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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This risks one dish getting cold or resting too long while the other is cooking.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As the Universe expands, the expansion rate and energy density both do not change, leading to a relentless state where the Universe doubles in size, again and again, each time a certain interval elapses.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Oct. 2025
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The day begins and ends with the blue hour, that interval prized by artists for centuries.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The film — part chilling revenge thriller and part absurd slapstick — is riveting.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
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Shared in October by u/pizzalogdong, the pictures show the gray tabby comfortably chilling inside a carrier, as her kittens are wrapped up in warm blankets by the poster.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Whatever your candy preference, no one wants to spend the evening strolling barren streets hoping to find some goodies.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
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After 10 minutes of strolling along paved pathways from the gate, the line of trees that marks the edge of the plateau comes into sight.—
Barry Neild,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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 30 Oct. 2025.
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