inaction

noun

in·​ac·​tion (ˌ)i-ˈnak-shən How to pronounce inaction (audio)
: lack of action or activity : idleness

Examples of inaction in a Sentence

The protesters criticized the administration's inaction on environmental issues. We must consider the consequences of continued inaction.
Recent Examples on the Web After years of inaction on AIDS by the White Houses of Mr. Reagan and his successor, George H.W. Bush, there were cautious hopes among L.G.B.T.Q. activists for the 1992 presidential election. Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Mark Goldman, a San Diego loan officer and real estate analyst, said a foreclosure in this market typically comes down to inaction by an owner. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024 Prado’s presentation runs counter to the exhaustive Justice Department report that found a failure of leadership and a lack of decisive inaction by police to breach the classroom for 77 minutes that cost multiple lives. USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 After inaction during the Trump administration between 2017 and 2021, Kerry, then in his late 70s and having had prostate cancer, would fly to China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seth Borenstein, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 While traditionally viewed as a conscious act (or inaction), psychologist Shirzad Chamine challenges this notion, suggesting that self-sabotage runs deeper, lurking within our psyche. Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 During years of inaction through the painful rebuild, the most insignificant of moves were all there was. Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2024 The First Law: A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. Eli Amdur, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 The White House has said House Republicans' inaction has already cost Ukraine on the battlefield, arguing Ukraine's lack of arms and ammunition led to its retreat last week from the town of Avdiivka, which was taken over by Russian forces. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inaction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inaction was in 1707

Dictionary Entries Near inaction

Cite this Entry

“Inaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inaction. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inaction

noun
in·​ac·​tion (ˈ)in-ˈak-shən How to pronounce inaction (audio)
: lack of action or activity : idleness

More from Merriam-Webster on inaction

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