IDLE Synonyms: 163 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'idle' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of idle are inactive , inert , passive , and supine . While all these words mean "not engaged in work or activity," idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements. // workers were idle in the fields

Q: When is 'inactive' a more appropriate choice than 'idle'?

The meanings of inactive and idle largely overlap; however, inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work. // on inactive status as an astronaut // inactive accounts

Q: When could 'inert' be used to replace 'idle'?

The words inert and idle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity. // inert ingredients in drugs // an inert citizenry

Q: When can 'passive' be used instead of 'idle'?

The words passive and idle can be used in similar contexts, but passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control. // passive resistance

Q: When might 'supine' be a better fit than 'idle'?

While in some cases nearly identical to idle , supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence. // a supine willingness to play the fool

idle 1 of 2

adjective

ˈī-dᵊl

Definition of idle

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

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

idle

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word idle different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of idle are inactive, inert, passive, and supine. While all these words mean "not engaged in work or activity," idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements.

workers were idle in the fields

When is inactive a more appropriate choice than idle?

The meanings of inactive and idle largely overlap; however, inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work.

on inactive status as an astronaut

inactive accounts

When could inert be used to replace idle?

The words inert and idle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity.

inert ingredients in drugs

an inert citizenry

When can passive be used instead of idle?

The words passive and idle can be used in similar contexts, but passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control.

passive resistance

When might supine be a better fit than idle?

While in some cases nearly identical to idle, supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence.

a supine willingness to play the fool

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

Adjective

With bulldozers and excavators sitting idle, here’s where things stand. — Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 But there were plenty of times where the the order would sit idle waiting for an available driver. — John Kell, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

Gas shortages have interrupted textile and apparel production across major industrial areas, idling garment lines and raising concerns about whether export orders will ship on time. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026 When a power outage knocked out a third of San Francisco’s traffic lights last December, at least 60 Waymos abruptly idled mid-road, causing severe gridlock and delays. — Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for idle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for idle

Adjective

For me, Sliman was pouring water on a dormant seed anxious to sprout.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Various micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts) can also lie dormant in the tissues for centuries and can recolonize and multiply due to a ready supply of organic material—particularly if the remains have been stored in suboptimal conditions.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of dormant

Adjective

The resort has its own waterpark with a freeform swimming pool, baby pool, two-story slide, and lazy river.

— Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
The other irony is that many of the characters on these very shows would hate this kind of lazy legacy thinking and would balk at it.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of lazy

Adjective

The arrival of Marmoush, a springy runner who is dangerous on the break and dynamic with his off-ball movement, helped reinforce a bolder new approach.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Diaz tacked on an RBI single in the ninth off rookie Bradley Hanner as the Astros scored six runs against New York's bullpen.

— CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of off

Verb

The colony also has a population of New Zealand fur seals that laze around the rocks frequented by flocks of seabirds.

— Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
The pigs that would soon enough become lunch lazed in the compost-pile mud in front of a five-star-hotel-worthy view of the Cretan Sea.

— Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026

Definition of laze

Verb

There’s an outdoor kids club with a schedule of activities and a babysitting service, but most youngsters looked happy enough playing on the sand while parents lounged nearby or got involved in the digging.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Most recently, Céline Dion, Lucy Hale, and Sofia Richie Grainge were spotted in matching ensembles for outdoor activities, casual outings, and lounging at home.

— Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of lounge

Adjective

Their displays adapt to occupied seats, giving the nearest rider full control while unused screens show trip status or ambient imagery.

— Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
The money had been allocated to the Strategic Fund board in October 2022 and ended up unused.

— CBS News, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of unused

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idiots

idle

idled

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“Idle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of idle

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