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
Greg Cote
december 23, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
These were just honestly idle conversations that occur on occasion between me and Steve King, one of the world’s greatest people.
—Alex Zalben, IndieWire, 18 Dec. 2025
New Atlas, 29 Dec. 2025
As your car idles, warm air blown from the top of your dashboard will melt the ice on the outside of the windshield.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idle
Adjective
The Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa, idle after being benched, slips one spot to 18th.
—Verb
Yamaha’s setup is even tamer – relying on a Starter Motor Generator (SMG) paired with a conventional small-displacement commuter ICE that’s only meant to kick in with mild electric assist while idling and letting the clutch out.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle
Adjective
-
As the mercury plummets and back-to-work blues set in for much of humankind in the UK, many other creatures are cosily spending winter in a blissfully dormant state of hibernation.—
-
Cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Nohl Williams were among the Chiefs’ best players for a second consecutive week as both helped shut down a dormant Raiders pass game.—
Adjective
-
Saturday morning appeared more like a lazy weekday morning at SMF — plenty of curbside pickup spaces and ticketing agents offering extra attention — than the frontline of a nationwide transportation crunch.—
-
It’s made with a soft, cozy knit, but the sleek silhouette keeps it from veering into lazy-day territory.—
Verb
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, bummed out about the passing of Raul Malo, lead singer of The Mavericks.—
-
Headed to the mountains for the holidays and bummed about the slow progression of the snowpack?—
Adjective
-
Using his off hand, Brown spun the ball off the glass and through the hoop while Shead fouled him.—
-
In November 2022, the four college students were found stabbed to death in an off-campus home in the small community of Moscow, Idaho.—
Verb
-
They can easily be transitioned from lounging at home to a street-ready outfit or casual traveling, as the stripes can be mixed and matched with a wide range of tops like blazers, denim jackets, and simple tees—all without looking sloppy.—
-
This chair makes an ideal lounging spot for reading or watching television, thanks to its supportive foam construction.—
Adjective
-
Officials believe the fire started in the occupied home and spread to the vacant home next door.—
-
No public update on the project has been released since 2023, and the land remains vacant.—
Verb
-
Letting cookie dough rest is one of the hardest parts of making cookies.—
-
That’s why investing in a plush, comfortable duvet insert or comforter is essential for creating a cozy oasis to start the new year off well-rested.—
Adjective
-
The first rule of organizing any room is to declutter unused and unusable items.—
-
The proposal also lays out how to spend money from California’s signature cap-and-trade program, which sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions and allows large polluters to buy and sell unused emission allowances at quarterly auctions.—
Cite this Entry
“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share