idly

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.

Maybe it is plainly shameful to sit idly by, waiting for the police to peel back more layers of abominable detail, so it can be quickly disseminated to a hungry audience.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

Maddox Batson sits in a swivel chair in a West Hollywood recording studio on a recent evening, spinning idly as his mother and manager go over their plans for the next few days.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

Related: My mother is selling my late father’s multimillion-dollar California real-estate portfolio — must I stand idly by?

From MarketWatch • Dec. 10, 2025

He said the directive to his troops is clear to “not stand idly by, and do everything in your power to prevent any act of nationalist crime.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

She scrunched up her face, her fingers idly stroking the horse’s nose.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby