noun
Uncommon
inaction
ihn-AK-shuhn
Inaction (noun) means a failure to act; doing nothing when something should be done. Example: “Years of government inaction let the housing crisis get worse.”
noun
1
A failure to act; doing nothing when something should be done.
"Years of government inaction let the housing crisis get worse."
How to use inaction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSimply not doing anything, especially when action was expected.
Common pairings
political inaction
years of inaction
inaction on climate change
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Word forms
- Plural
- inactions
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Years of government _____ let the housing crisis get worse.
Etymology
From French inaction, formed from in- plus action.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inaction
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for 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.
