wasting time

VERB

idle away time

Synonyms

WEAK

burn daylight dally dawdle delay dillydally fiddle about fritter away time goof off kill time linger loiter lollygag lose time pass the time piddle procrastinate shilly-shally take one's own sweet time take one's time tarry while away the time

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.

In a New Yorker article last year by a college professor, students characterized AI-enabled cheating as a widespread and resourceful way to avoid wasting time on material that didn’t interest them.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

Then he burned almost two minutes with a song-and-dance number about not wasting time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

To prevent teams tactically wasting time to ensure a draw, all of the overs must be bowled on the fifth day, barring interruptions for the weather.

From BBC • Jul. 16, 2025

Collateral estoppel protects courts from wasting time, litigants from wasting money and the rule of law from death by a thousand cuts.

From Salon • Jun. 30, 2025

"I already told you that. She couldn't have left through that door. And I already looked through Mirjam's hiding place. You're wasting time doing things I already did."

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse