inaction

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˌɪˈnækʃən/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The state or condition of not taking action; lack of action or activity; failure to act when action is needed or expected.; Absence of action or activity; idleness; inactivity.; A deliberate decision not to intervene or respond, especially in a political or legal context.; In physics or mechanics, the absence of force or motion; a state of rest or equilibrium.

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable

Collocations

climate inactionpolitical inactiongovernment inactionparalysis of inactioninaction on climatecriminal inaction

Derivatives

actionactiveinactiveinactivityactivateactivityreactreaction

Synonyms

inactivitypassivityinertiaidlenessindolencetorpor

Antonyms

actionactivityinitiative

Commonly confused

inactivity
EN: 'Inactivity' emphasizes the state of not being active or busy; 'inaction' emphasizes the failure or refusal to act, often implying a moral or practical obligation to do so.
inattention
EN: 'Inattention' means lack of attention or focus; 'inaction' means lack of action or failure to act.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember that 'inaction' is one word (prefix 'in-' + 'action'), not two words 'in action'. Do not confuse with 'inattention'.

💬 Examples

  1. The government's inaction on climate change has drawn widespread criticism.

  2. After months of inaction, the committee finally scheduled a meeting.

  3. The United Nations was criticized for its inaction during the humanitarian crisis.

  4. The body remained in a state of inaction until an external force was applied.