I'm looking for a word that describes knowing something, but not acting on it. For example:

I know eating healthy food is good for me, but I don't do it. I'm guilty of ____________.

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    Closest word I can think of is repression – user190075 Aug 10 '16 at 3:39
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    It might depend on why you don't do it. Can you elaborate? – Lawrence Aug 10 '16 at 11:02
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    You are guilty of talking the talk but not walking the walk. – Drew Aug 10 '16 at 15:03

I'd suggest inaction

Inaction [MASS NOUN] Lack of action where some is expected or appropriate (ODO)

It's simple and it implies that you should do something, i.e. eat the damn vegetables.


This may be a case of procrastination.

(Your example implies that you are somehow regretting that you are not able to put your knowledge into action; in that sense you may be indefinitely delaying it).

From oxforddictionaries.com:



The action of delaying or postponing something: your first tip is to avoid procrastination





dithering, delaying tactics, dilatoriness, stalling, temporizing, hesitation, vacillation;

British humming and hawing; informal dilly-dallying, shilly-shallying

US informal kicking the can down the road

  • He asked for a word. All answers look off the mark, unfortunately. Tough one. – Abhilaaj Aug 10 '16 at 7:56
  • Yes, I gave a word - procrastination. In case that was not so clear, I have edited my answer to make the word more explicit. – alwayslearning Aug 10 '16 at 8:25
  • You are very near, but yet a wee bit far. It's like describing a tobacco or drug-addicted Dr. He knows too well, still, doesn't use his knowledge for his own benefit. – Abhilaaj Aug 10 '16 at 12:39

I would go with apathy.

Merriam-Webster states:

Simple Definition of APATHY

Alternatively, indifference would also work.

Merriam-Webster again:

Simple Definition of INDIFFERENCE
: lack of interest in or concern about something : an indifferent attitude or feeling http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indifference


I think you might be looking for 'cognitive dissonance'.

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    Please add some explanation. – NVZ Jun 27 '17 at 8:07
