Definitions

idleness

[ahy-dl-nis] / ˈaɪ dl nɪs /

NOUN

laziness, inaction

Synonyms

STRONG

dawdling dormancy droning hibernation inactivity indolence inertia leisure lethargy loafing shiftlessness sloth slothfulness slouch slowness sluggishness stupor torpidity torpor trifling truancy unemployment

WEAK

dilly-dallying goof-off time joblessness laze lazing loitering otiosity own sweet time pottering time on one's hands time to burn time to kill time-wasting vegetating

Antonyms

STRONG

activity energy life liveliness vigor

WEAK

action ambition busyness diligence employment hustle industry labor occupation work

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Our biggest problem was idleness, wedged together as we were around the long rows of tables with nothing to do.

From Literature

The internet poses risks beyond idleness and harm to mental health.

From The Wall Street Journal

A friend described “the Soutine of painting and the Soutine of idleness. The one was as exaggerated as the other.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Multiple residents warned of "idleness" among the youth, who face high unemployment.

From Barron's

Now under state ownership, productivity is low compared to competitors both in the UK and abroad, not due to idleness but because workers don't have the equipment they need to do their job efficiently.

From BBC

idleness

Example Sentences

Related Words