action
2 antonyms and opposites of action, grouped by meaning.
Noun — The process of doing something, especially to achieve a purpose.
Antonyms
How to use action
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French accion/aucion, from Latin actio(n)- ("a doing"), from agere ("to do, act").
Full origin of action →Frequently asked questions
What does “action” mean?
The word “action” means the process of doing something, especially to achieve a purpose. In plain terms, doing something to get a result — or, in other senses, exciting activity, a lawsuit, or the moving parts of a mechanism.
How do you pronounce “action”?
“Action” is pronounced AK-shuhn (/ˈækʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “action” in a sentence?
Here is “action” used in a sentence: “The company took swift action to fix the problem.”
What is another word for “action”?
Words with a similar meaning to “action” include act, acting, cocky, deed and doing.
What is the opposite of “action”?
The opposite of “action” — its antonyms — are inaction and omission.
What part of speech is “action”?
“Action” is a noun.
Where does the word “action” come from?
The word “action” comes from Latin. From Old French accion/aucion, from Latin actio(n)- ("a doing"), from agere ("to do, act").
Is “action” a common word?
“Action” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between action and activity?
An action is a single deed done to achieve a purpose, like sending an email. An activity is a broader or ongoing occupation, often made up of many actions, like running a business or playing sport. Action stresses the specific doing; activity stresses the general state of being busy.
What is the difference between action and reaction?
An action is something you initiate deliberately to achieve a purpose. A reaction is a response triggered by something else that has already happened. Action comes first and is driven by your own aim; reaction follows and is prompted from outside. Choosing to act rather than merely react is often praised.
What is the opposite of action?
The main opposite is inaction — choosing not to do anything, or failing to act when you could. Related opposites include inactivity, idleness, and passivity. Where action means actively doing something to reach a goal, inaction means holding back, and it can carry consequences of its own.