inactive

adjective in·ac·tive \ (ˌ)i-ˈnak-tiv \

Updated on: 7 Apr 2018

Definition of inactive

: not active: such as

a (1) : sedentary

(2) : indolent, sluggish

b (1) : being out of use

(2) : relating to or being members of the armed forces who are not performing or available for military duties

(3) of a disease : quiescent

c (1) : chemically inert

(2) : optically neutral in polarized light

d : biologically inert especially because of the loss of some quality (such as infectivity or antigenicity)

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inactively

adverb

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inactivity

play \(ˌ)i-ˌnak-ˈti-və-tē\ noun

See inactive defined for English-language learners

See inactive defined for kids

Examples of inactive in a Sentence

Inactive people suffer higher rates of heart disease.
it's easiest to catch snakes early in the morning, while they're still cold and inactive

Recent Examples of inactive from the Web

According to the North Carolina Medical Board, his license has been inactive since February 2016.

— michael gordon, charlotteobserver, "On day before his birthday, Huntersville doctor sent to prison on child-porn charge | Charlotte Observer," 28 Mar. 2018
In premarket trading, CSRA shares fell 0.1% while CACI and General Dynamics shares were inactive.

— austen hufford, WSJ, "General Dynamics Deal For CSRA Continues After CACI Withdraws Bid," 28 Mar. 2018
The pages of both SpaceX and Tesla are now inactive, which each had around 2.6 million followers.

— loren grush, The Verge, "Elon Musk has deleted Tesla and SpaceX’s Facebook pages after Twitter challenge," 23 Mar. 2018
Wilkerson, who was inactive for the final three games of the 2017 season due to chronic tardiness, was released by the Jets on Feb. 28, two years into a five-year contract.

— dan gartland, SI.com, "Muhammad Wilkerson’s Mom Calls Radio Station to Rip Reporter," 9 Mar. 2018
Afflalo was inactive for the Magic’s win Friday over the Detroit Pistons and the Magic’s win Saturday over the Memphis Grizzlies.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Donovan Mitchell made positive impression on the Magic at NBA Draft Combine," 6 Mar. 2018
Bulls: Center Robin Lopez was inactive for a fifth straight game. .

— matt carlson, star-telegram, "Portis leads late-game surge as Bulls squeeze past Mavs | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 2 Mar. 2018
Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones is inactive for Saturday’s divisional round playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons after appearing on the injury report this week with a hamstring injury.

— zach berman, Philly.com, "Eagles-Falcons inactives: Sidney Jones and Destiny Vaeao out, Rasul Douglas and Dannell Ellerbe in," 13 Jan. 2018
Tip-ins Mavericks: Veteran guard J.J. Barea was inactive due to a left rib muscle strain.

— adry torres, star-telegram, "Brooklyn blows double-digit lead but still holds off Mavs | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 17 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inactive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of inactive

1664

inactive Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of inactive

inactive, idle, inert, passive, supine mean not engaged in work or activity. inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work.

- on inactive status as an astronaut
- inactive accounts

idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements.

- workers were idle in the fields

inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity.

- inert ingredients in drugs
- an inert citizenry

passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control.