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 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 White House criticizes House Republicans for inaction on Ukraine aid More Robert Legare Robert Legare is a CBS News multiplatform reporter and producer covering the Justice Department, federal courts and investigations. Robert Legare, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024 While thousands of migrants have been sent to New York, Democrat Tom Suozzi was able to criticize Republican inaction on the issue and won the election on Tuesday by nearly 8 percentage points. Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2024 For the most part, the candidates determined that the crisis is a result not of inaction on Biden’s part but on Congress’s. Noah Rothman, National Review, 13 Feb. 2024 Hall worries that inaction in the House stems from political tension between Stephens and Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, who will likely face off for the job of speaker next year. Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2024 Finally, the prosecution highlighted her inaction in a meeting with school employees the day of the shooting. Eric Levenson, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024 Noah Rubin, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, shared with me his concerns about the university's inaction toward student groups like Penn Against the Occupation (PAO), UPenn's pro-Hamas group. Sarah Hernholm, Forbes, 16 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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