inert

in·ert

adj \i-ˈnərt\

Definition of INERT

1

: lacking the power to move

2

: very slow to move or act : sluggish

3

: deficient in active properties; especially : lacking a usual or anticipated chemical or biological action

— inert noun

— in·ert·ly adverb

— in·ert·ness noun

Examples of INERT

1. an inert and lifeless body
2. How does he propose to stimulate the inert economy and create jobs?

Origin of INERT

Latin inert-, iners unskilled, idle, from in- + art-, ars skill — more at arm

First Known Use: 1647

Related to INERT

Synonyms: dead, dormant, fallow, free, idle, inactive, inoperative, latent, off, unused, vacant

Antonyms: active, alive, busy, employed, functioning, going, living, on, operating, operative, running, working

Related Words: abeyant, arrested, interrupted, suspended; unoccupied; asleep, comatose, lifeless, moribund, quiescent, sleepy; inoperable, unusable, unworkable, useless; dull, slow

Near Antonyms: functional, operable, operational, workable; assiduous, industrious, sedulous; energetic, vigorous; feasible, practical, usable (also useable), useful, viable

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at inactive

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

Rhymes with INERT

advert, alert, assert, avert, bellwort, birthwort, Blackshirt, brownshirt, bush shirt, camp shirt, colewort, concert, convert, covert, desert, dessert, dissert, divert, dress shirt, evert, exert, expert, exsert, figwort, fleawort, glasswort, hair shirt, Hastert, hornwort, insert, invert, lousewort, lungwort, madwort, milkwort, mugwort, nightshirt, outskirt, overt, pay dirt, pervert, pilewort, ragwort, redshirt, revert, ribwort, saltwort, sandwort, Schubert, seagirt, sea squirt, soapwort, spearwort, spleenwort, stitchwort, stonewort, stuffed shirt, subvert, sweatshirt, toothwort, T-shirt, ungirt