What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
indolent
Example
He was an indolent student who never did his homework. [indolent: adjective]
Example
She spent the day in an indolent state, lounging on the couch and watching TV. [indolent: noun]
inactive
Example
The machine has been inactive for months and needs to be restarted. [inactive: adjective]
Example
He was inactive during the game and didn't contribute much to the team's success. [inactive: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inactive is more commonly used than indolent in everyday language. Inactive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while indolent is less common and has a more negative connotation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between indolent and inactive?
Both indolent and inactive are formal words that can be used in academic or professional contexts to describe a lack of activity or movement. However, indolent may be considered more formal due to its less common usage and negative connotation.
