inaction

/ɪˈnækʃən/

failure to act

The government's inaction during the crisis drew widespread criticism.

The government was criticized for not taking any action during the crisis.

general

The state of not acting or doing anything, especially when action is expected or required.

His inaction in the face of danger was seen as cowardice.

He was seen as cowardly because he did nothing when faced with danger.

The company's inaction on climate change has angered environmentalists.

Environmentalists are angry because the company is not taking steps to address climate change.

Often used to criticize someone for not taking necessary or expected action.

Collocations

inaction byfailure to act by someoneinaction in the face offailure to act despite a situationinaction onfailure to act regarding a specific issue

Use 'inaction' to criticize someone for not taking necessary action.

From Middle French 'inaction', from Latin 'in-' (not) + 'actio' (action).

Often used in formal or critical contexts to describe a lack of response or effort.

in-

not

prefix

action

the state of doing something

root

English Dictionary