inactive

adjective

in·​ac·​tive (ˌ)i-ˈnak-tiv 

: 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)

inactively adverb

inactivity

(ˌ)i-ˌnak-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• sleepy
• quiescent
• dull
• inert
• lethargic

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

passive resistance

supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence.

a supine willingness to play the fool

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 on the Web

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the site was inactive and contained no nuclear material, but Israel said the strike was aimed at preventing future weapons development. —Amanda Castro shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

The state Supreme Court still must approve Spolin’s disbarment, but his license will be inactive in the meantime, barring him from working as a lawyer. —Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025

In humans, p53 is inactive or mutated in about half of all cancers. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2025

California’s unclaimed property law already requires the controller’s office to safeguard and return inactive financial assets — dormant bank accounts, insurance proceeds and uncashed checks, for example — to their rightful owners. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 16 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inactive

• attractive
• contractive
• extractive
• proactive
• reactive
• refractive
• subtractive
• active
• tractive
• bioactive
• hyperactive
• interactive

Kids Definition

inactive

adjective

in·​ac·​tive (ˈ)in-ˈak-tiv 

: not active: as

a

: slow to move or act : sluggish

b

: being out of use or activity

an inactive mine

an inactive volcano

c

: inert

argon is chemically inactive

inactively adverb

Medical Definition

inactive

adjective

in·​ac·​tive (ˈ)in-ˈak-tiv 

: not active: as

a

: marked by deliberate or enforced absence of activity or effort

forced by illness to lead an inactive life

b

of a disease : not progressing or fulminant : quiescent

c(1)

: chemically inert

inactive charcoal

(2)

: not exhibiting optical activity in polarized light

d

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

inactivity

(ˌ)in-ˌak-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun

plural inactivities