inaction
2 synonyms and 1 antonym for inaction, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A failure to act; doing nothing when something should be done.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use inaction
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
political inaction
years of inaction
inaction on climate change
Etymology
From French inaction, formed from in- plus action.
Full origin of inaction →Frequently asked questions
What does “inaction” mean?
The word “inaction” means a failure to act; doing nothing when something should be done. In plain terms, simply not doing anything, especially when action was expected.
How do you pronounce “inaction”?
“Inaction” is pronounced ihn-AK-shuhn (/ɪnˈækʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “inaction” in a sentence?
Here is “inaction” used in a sentence: “Years of government inaction let the housing crisis get worse.”
What part of speech is “inaction”?
“Inaction” is a noun.
Where does the word “inaction” come from?
The word “inaction” comes from French. From French inaction, formed from in- plus action.
Is “inaction” a common word?
“Inaction” is an uncommon word in modern English.
