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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of idling
Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 18 Nov. 2025
Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026
Amenities and experiences Most of my afternoons were spent idling at the heated infinity pool, glass of African wine in hand, overlooking the crater.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
But Stanley said the effort was entirely consistent with Patagonia's results-first philosophy — because Walmart is so huge, convincing it to do something as simple as not idling its delivery trucks while they are unloaded has a significant environmental benefit.
—Tony Biasotti, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
At least six other Department of Aviation workers were investigated for spending hours idling on the job, demonstrating incompetence, stealing city property, and lying during the investigation.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Neurobots spend less time idling and more time exploring.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2026
Other steps like keeping tires inflated, using A/C sparingly as needed, using cruise control, avoiding long idling, and servicing your vehicle regularly can also significantly help save fuel, GasBuddy recommends.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Think of children waiting at bus stops as the wind snapped trees, or parents idling in carpool lines as the tornado warning notifications blared on their phones.
—Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 22 Mar. 2026
This shuts off the engine at stoplights or when idling, and restarts it once the accelerator is pressed.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
There is no penalty associated with unattended idling in state statute, however, individual municipalities have ordinances in place with fines for the action.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 18 Nov. 2025
Verb
So the captain is not going to keep the ship idling while your late-arriving flight is taxiing to the terminal.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026
Amenities and experiences Most of my afternoons were spent idling at the heated infinity pool, glass of African wine in hand, overlooking the crater.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
But Stanley said the effort was entirely consistent with Patagonia's results-first philosophy — because Walmart is so huge, convincing it to do something as simple as not idling its delivery trucks while they are unloaded has a significant environmental benefit.
—Tony Biasotti, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
At least six other Department of Aviation workers were investigated for spending hours idling on the job, demonstrating incompetence, stealing city property, and lying during the investigation.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Neurobots spend less time idling and more time exploring.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2026
Other steps like keeping tires inflated, using A/C sparingly as needed, using cruise control, avoiding long idling, and servicing your vehicle regularly can also significantly help save fuel, GasBuddy recommends.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Think of children waiting at bus stops as the wind snapped trees, or parents idling in carpool lines as the tornado warning notifications blared on their phones.
—Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 22 Mar. 2026
This shuts off the engine at stoplights or when idling, and restarts it once the accelerator is pressed.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idling
Noun
-
The researchers concluded that at least one of the keys to preventing social loafing is restoring individual responsibility within a group.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The animal, which arrived at the pier about a month ago, has sparked enthusiasm on social media, with Reddit users sharing photos and videos of Chonkers lounging and sunbathing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Droves of sea lions began lounging at the dock shortly in 1989 shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Position two or three oven racks at even intervals and heat the oven to three-fifty.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Plan for the Season To extend your harvest, succession plant fast-growing crops, like radishes and carrots, at two to four week intervals through early summer.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, however, is not interested in resting on any laurels.—
Jonathan Hawkins,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, keen-eyed visitors can spot resting harbor seals, shorebirds, and even a resident pair of bald eagles.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Faster pit stops could also help unlock sales for electric two-wheelers, which have been slow to catch on due to dawdling charge times and limited riding range.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Mar. 2023
Verb
-
Last week, the prosecution showed the jurors chilling video and audio evidence that included Athena’s last moments after Horner lured her inside the FedEx van.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
-
With war chests reportedly reaching hundreds of millions, critics—including Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—warn that AI industry influence is chilling debate and discouraging regulation ahead of midterms.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Every once in a while, the TV would display the now ubiquitous images of Suspect One and Suspect Two, who had been caught by surveillance cameras, wearing backpacks and strolling near the finish line moments before the explosions.—
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
And with its options for kayaking, standup paddleboarding, sailing, and waterskiing—plus a boardwalk for strolling and sandy beaches for relaxing—Mission Bay Park is a great spot for active families.—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Its clear, shallow waters were pleasant to wade into after lazing under one of the scrubby trees on the sand.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
15 Nov. 2025
-
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 2 May. 2026.
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