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

Keep scrolling for more

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

People who are inactive or obese or who eat an unhealthy diet have higher levels of harmful inflammation. — Eliza Barclay, Vox, "The growth of yoga and meditation in the US since 2012 is remarkable," 11 Nov. 2018 The case has been marked inactive, pending additional leads. — Austen Erblat, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Wellington, Royal Palm Beach area crime log: June 15-30," 13 July 2018 Justin Verlander has already been ruled inactive for the All-Star Game, so Snell could find his way onto the AL roster. — Andrew Joseph, For The Win, "Rays pitcher Chris Archer calls out MLB players over Blake Snell's All-Star snub," 8 July 2018 William Knowles told the Times Leader in 2011 that the case remains open but inactive, due to a lack of new leads or information. — Bianca Hillier, NBC News, "Pennsylvania mother Shelva Rafte vanished on Memorial Day 2006, following daughter’s graduation party," 28 May 2018 But even inactive, ElDewrito—along with the executable version of Halo Online needed to complete it—persist in the wild, active on the corners of the internet where data like that lives forever. — Julie Muncy, WIRED, "Saying Goodbye to the Fan Game That Recreated a Decade-Old Classic," 11 May 2018 The Findex report finds that a quarter of all accounts worldwide are inactive, with no deposits or withdrawals in the past 12 months. — The Economist, "Financial inclusion is making great strides," 3 May 2018 After charges were filed against them in September, they were declared inactive for practices and games. — Clifford Ward, Wheaton Glen Ellyn, "July trial set for former Wheaton College football player accused with others of injuring teammate during hazing," 3 May 2018 Difficult, too, was Colson’s rehab, which included an array of stimulation treatments to maintain strength in the leg muscles made inactive by his inability to walk. — Dan Greene, SI.com, "Bonzie's Back and Feeling Fine, but Notre Dame May Still Be Short on Fuel for At-Large Consideration," 6 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.