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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

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

From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025

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 • Sep. 13, 2025

Save for a throwaway comment Jada makes about Michael and Jacob coming from money, “Zoomers” acts as if the wealth needed to afford all of this idleness and self-therapizing is a given for young people.

From New York Times • Jan. 26, 2024

Thus we spent the evening by our cook-fire in idleness.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Vocabulary lists containing idleness

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

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War Horse

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By the Great Horn Spoon!

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