inaction

[in-ak-shuhn]

noun

1. absence of action; idleness.

inaction

/ ɪnˈækʃən /

noun

1. lack of action; idleness; inertia

Word History and Origins

Origin of inaction¹

First recorded in 1700–10; in- ³ + action

Example Sentences

Yet the bigger risk of war is from inaction.

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“Whether it’s the next pandemic or foodborne illness outbreak, the cost of inaction is just too high,” she said.

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Former UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa said COP summits were still "absolutely necessary" to unite countries and hold them accountable for their action -- or inaction.

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"What we're doing is maintaining US strategic interest in the Western hemisphere," he said, warning that inaction risked a "failed state".

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Since Xi took power in 2012, party inspectors have punished more than 6.2 million people for offenses that include corruption, bureaucratic inaction and the leaking of state secrets.

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Related Words

• inactivity www.thesaurus.com
• inertia 
• passivity 
• stagnation