inactive

adjective

in·ac·tive | \ (ˌ)i-ˈnak-tiv

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)

Other Words from inactive Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about inactive

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Synonyms & Antonyms for inactive

Synonyms

dull, inert, lethargic, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish, torpid

Antonyms

active

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 event was canceled a few days later after the group’s faculty adviser stepped down, rendering the group inactive. — Mari Uyehara, GQ, "How Free Speech Warriors Mainstreamed White Supremacists," 8 May 2018 The injury came at a difficult time, not only costing Don a chance at the world championship, but also leaving him inactive during the window for renegotiating precious contracts. — Lindsay Crouse, New York Times, "This Man Expects to Run a 2:50 in the Boston Marathon on Monday," 12 Apr. 2018 Thursday, the Heat elected to make forward Luke Babbitt its healthy inactive player. — Manny Navarro, miamiherald, "Miami Heat getting healthy. So who sits when the playoffs begin? | Miami Herald," 29 Mar. 2018 The Suns will have to declare four players inactive for the game. — Scott Bordow, azcentral, "Game Day: Devin Booker says injury is legitimate and not for NBA draft tanking purposes," 26 Mar. 2018 With a healthy 53-man roster, all seven inactive players are healthy scratches. — Zach Berman, Philly.com, "Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl inactives: Sidney Jones, Destiny Vaeao out; Dannell Ellerbe to play," 4 Feb. 2018 In addition to Coleman, the Saints' inactive players are running back Jonathan Williams, center Cameron Tom, tight end John Phillips, offensive tackle Bryce Harris and defensive ends Al-Quadin Muhammad and Kasim Edebali. — Josh Katzenstein, NOLA.com, "Michael Mauti, Taysom Hill and Austin Carr active for Saints at Vikings," 14 Jan. 2018 Moore told the press the Navy looked at every ship on the inactive list, particularly retired Oliver Hazard Perry–class guided missile frigates. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The U.S. Navy Won’t Bring Back Mothballed Ships to Boost the Fleet," 21 Feb. 2019 Like Tesla's system, Sunflare's shingles will be a mix of active and inactive tiles. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "Five solar roof shingles that aren’t from Tesla," 24 Oct. 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.