stagnation

noun

stag·​na·​tion stag-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce stagnation (audio)
: a stagnant state or condition : a state or condition marked by lack of flow, movement, or development
In short, the increasing contamination and stagnation of the segment of river had become a matter of concern.Ryan Holifield and Nick Schuelke
In 1664, when plague had struck Amsterdam again, with the usual stagnation of trade that followed its worst attacks, the sight of a shooting star was taken as axiomatic confirmation of divine displeasure.Simon Schama

Examples of stagnation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And with new strains surfacing, including a pickup in gas prices, mild pressure on supply chains after a bridge collapse in Baltimore and housing price pressures that are taking longer than expected to fade from official data, there’s a risk that the stagnation could continue. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024 The ensuing economic stagnation could push the U.S. into a recession, Dimon warned. Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2024 This year’s Index reveals that workers and employers are facing a critical moment of talent stagnation in the workplace. Michelle Prado, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024 Both Green Berets and technology leaders have zero room for stagnation. Zach Fuller, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Deeper discontent with stagnation under the long-ruling AKP may also have pushed some more right-wing AKP voters to other parties, including an Islamist party that broke from Erdogan over his refusal to not sunder economic ties with Israel over the war in Gaza. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024 Despite stagnation, workers continue to feel optimistic about their abilities — a belief in themselves to propel the future of their careers — which is an opportunity for employers to capitalize on that optimism. Michelle Prado, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024 Right now, America wage growth and stagnation has been a plaguing issue. Britney Porter, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 Should Tesla only manage a low single digit increase over Q1 of 2023, Tesla risks becoming a growth stock minus the growth—a toxic combination that could result in severe multiple compression as fewer investors are willing to pay 60 times earnings to own a company mired in stagnation. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stagnation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stagnation was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near stagnation

Cite this Entry

“Stagnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagnation. Accessed 7 May. 2024.

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