time-wasting

ADJECTIVE

dilatory

Synonyms

WEAK

backward behindhand dallying delaying deliberate laggard late lax lazy leisurely lingering loitering moratory neglectful negligent putting off remiss slack slow sluggish snail-like tardy tarrying unhasty unhurried

Antonyms

WEAK

diligent eager enthusiastic hard-working ready zealous

ADJECTIVE

vain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

frivolous fruitless petty trivial

WEAK

abortive barren bootless delusive delusory empty going nowhere hollow idle in vicious circle inefficacious insignificant misleading no-win not a prayer nugatory on a treadmill otiose paltry pointless profitless puny senseless shuck slight sterile trifling unavailing unimportant unnotable unproductive unprofitable valueless void worthless

Antonyms

STRONGEST

consequential important significant useful

WEAK

modest possible shy

NOUN

idleness

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 vegetating

Antonyms

STRONG

activity energy life liveliness vigor

WEAK

action ambition busyness diligence employment hustle industry labor occupation work

NOUN

inactivity

Synonyms

STRONGEST

lethargy sluggishness stagnation

STRONG

dawdling dormancy droning hibernation idleness indolence inertia inertness leisure loafing shiftlessness sloth slothfulness slouch slowness stupor torpidity torpor trifling truancy unemployment

WEAK

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

Antonyms

STRONGEST

energy vigor

STRONG

employment work

NOUN

inertness

Synonyms

STRONG

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

WEAK

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

Antonyms

STRONG

activity busyness employment energy life liveliness vigor work

NOUN

inoperativeness

Synonyms

WEAK

dawdling dilly-dallying dormancy droning goof-off time hibernation idleness inactivity indolence inertia inertness joblessness laze lazing leisure lethargy loafing loitering otiosity own sweet time pottering shiftlessness sloth slothfulness slouch slowness sluggishness stagnation stupor time on one's hands time to burn time to kill torpidity torpor trifling truancy unemployment vegetating

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.

There has been some criticism of the Premier League amid claims it has become dull because of time-wasting tactics, VAR intervention, fatigue of players and an emphasis on systems rather than individuals.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has called for stricter rules around set-pieces and criticised upcoming opponents Arsenal for time-wasting.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Gunners' forward Gabriel Martinelli apologised after the match for attempting to push Bradley off the field in the mistaken belief he was time-wasting.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

I have seen it happen against us so many times this season that I can understand that Martinelli might have thought that this is time-wasting as well.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

At dawn I arose and created a long, slow, time-wasting breakfast.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

time-wasting

Example Sentences

Related Words