[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/inaction/)

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# inaction

noun (inaction, uncountable)

«inaction» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Inaction means not doing anything, especially when something should be done. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inaction/#m1)

### In the lessons

In news and citizenship lessons, people criticise «inaction on climate change» when governments do not act. In ethics, choosing inaction is still a choice with consequences: if you see bullying and do nothing, your inaction matters. In stories, a character's inaction can lead to disaster. Phrases: a period of inaction, inaction on, criticised for inaction.

### Examples

- The council was criticised for its inaction over the potholes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inaction/#x1)
- Inaction on pollution harms the planet. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inaction/#x2)
- His inaction let the problem grow worse. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inaction/#x3)
- After weeks of inaction, the team finally made a plan. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inaction/#x4)
- Sometimes inaction is the safest choice, like waiting for help. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inaction/#x5)
- Doing nothing when a friend is bullied is a kind of inaction. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inaction/#x6)

### Note

Uncountable. Formal. «In-» means not; inaction is the opposite of action. Not the same as «inactive» (an adjective).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «inaction» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inaction/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«inaction» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/inaction.html) on Mova free.