If you refer to someone's inaction, you disapprove of the fact that they are doing nothing.
[disapproval]
He is bitter about the inaction of the other political parties. [+ of]
Synonyms: inactivity, inertia, idleness, immobility More Synonyms of inaction
inaction in British English
(ɪnˈækʃən)
noun
lack of action; idleness; inertia
inaction in American English
(ɪnˈækʃən)
noun
absence of action or motion; inertness or idleness
Examples of 'inaction' in a sentence
inaction
Far more likely is the action or inaction of a human actor, or weak process management controls.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Washington has chosen action over inaction and has made a commitment to spending its way back to economic vigour.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Further international inaction would be inexcusable.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The Commons at these times is not so much democracy in action as democracy inaction.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
According to this logic, if you have a problem the best course of action is inaction.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Our increased knowledge of hygiene has transformed resignation and inaction in face of epidemic disease from a religious virtue to a justly punishable offence.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
Choosing inaction in the face of vocal opposition may be difficult, but it may also be the best course.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Our challenge with understanding Empire is not inaction in the face of multiculturalism; it is a culture of exam factory schooling thinning out the curriculum.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Quotations
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothingEdmund Burke
In other languages
inaction
British English: inaction NOUN
If you refer to someone's inaction, you disapprove of the fact that they are doing nothing.
He is bitter about the inaction of the other political parties.
American English: inaction
Brazilian Portuguese: inação
Chinese: 不作为
European Spanish: inacción
French: inaction
German: Untätigkeit
Italian: inazione
Japanese: 不活動
Korean: 게으름
European Portuguese: inação
Latin American Spanish: inacción
(noun)
Definition
lack of action
She is bitter about the inaction of the other political parties.
Synonyms
inactivity
The players have comparatively long periods of inactivity.
inertia
I resented her inertia and lack of self direction.
idleness
Idleness is a very bad thing for human nature.
immobility
torpor
The sick person gradually falls into a torpor.
dormancy
torpidity
Quotation
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing [Edmund Burke]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of idleness
Idleness is a very bad thing for human nature.
Synonyms
inactivity,
unemployment,
leisure,
inaction,
time on your hands
in the sense of inertia
Definition
a feeling of unwillingness to do anything
I resented her inertia and lack of self direction.