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
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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
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Recent Examples of idle
Brian Evans,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
Commentary and opinions Is Trump’s Napoleon quote just idle trolling?
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025
About 3 million workers were idled, and recovery has been mediocre at best.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idle
Adjective
Contrarian investors take above-average bearishness and below-average bullishness as good signs for the market, meaning that more investors have finished their selling and more idle cash remains on the sidelines waiting to move into stocks.
—Brian Evans,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
Commentary and opinions Is Trump’s Napoleon quote just idle trolling?
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
Just as a yellow cab turned right into the intersection, the idling truck inched forward, seemingly preparing for a wide right turn onto E. 169th St., the video shows.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025
About 3 million workers were idled, and recovery has been mediocre at best.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle
Adjective
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The study also speculated potential future Alzheimer’s problems may arise from the COVID-19 pandemic as SARS-CoV-2 infections have been known to reactivate dormant VSV and HSV-1 infections.—
Rich Haridy,
New Atlas,
25 Feb. 2025
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By targeting the root cause, that is dormant hair follicles, the treatment has a more complete effect as opposed to what is currently being offered, which only slows down the process of hair loss.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There is also a great bar hidden along the hotel’s lazy river pool, which is a big hit with kids, but adults will love the bar.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Many people assume that kids in Passenger Mode are lazy.—
Jenny Anderson,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Out of stuff that didn’t make it, there was one character that I was really bummed didn’t get on.—
Andy Hoglund,
Vulture,
29 Jan. 2025
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Release date, cast, more Queen Latifah, Adrien Brody, Kerry Washington, more stars flock to Thom Browne's NYFW show 'Really bummed out:' Beverly Ortega explains sudden departure from 'The Bachelor' 'The Amazing Race' Season 37 cast Find details on the entire Season 37 cast here.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Because the baseball season is long, every off day — both in spring training and in the regular season — is cherished as a time to spend time away from the constant grind of the season.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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The companies are also planning another event in December for athletes in leagues that are in their off seasons at the time, like the WNBA, NWSL, and MLB.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the first clip, Fischer, 25, is lounging in the front seat of the car, watching Love is Blind without a care in the world.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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Outside, hotel guests can lounge in two large outdoor pools or visit the a state-of-the-art fitness center with all latest and greatest equipment including Peloton bikes.—
Kate Donnelly,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The town of Rock Springs sprouts out of a vacant landscape of sandstone cliffs and sagebrush in southern Wyoming.—
Michael Luo,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
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Gaethje also fell short in his second try at winning the UFC 155-pound belt, dropping a submission to Charles Oliveira for the vacant title in May 2022.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Parton wrote Monday on Instagram that Dean will be laid to rest in a private ceremony.—
Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports,
arkansasonline.com,
5 Mar. 2025
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Learning to rest without guilt has been one of my greatest lessons.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The district has more than 2,500 classrooms, meaning 900 are going unused without counting portable classrooms.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, audits and complaints show that the local agencies that directly pay and monitor shelter contractors often fail to follow up on reports of unsafe conditions, unused beds or missed housing targets.—
CalMatters,
The Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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