inert

adjective in·ert \ i-ˈnərt \

Definition of inert

1 :lacking the power to move

2 :very slow to move or act :sluggish

3 :deficient in active properties; especially :lacking a usual or anticipated chemical or biological action

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inert

noun

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inertly

adverb

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inertness

noun

See inert defined for English-language learners

See inert defined for kids

Examples of inert in a Sentence

an inert and lifeless body
How does he propose to stimulate the inert economy and create jobs?

Recent Examples of inert from the Web

The device was inert, however, and officers arrested Varnell shortly before 1:00 am.

— malaika jabali, Essence.com, "Let's Remember That A White Man Attempted To Bomb An Oklahoma Bank This Week," 16 Aug. 2017
The truck and all of the materials, which were inert, were supplied by the FBI.

— joseph tanfani, latimes.com, "Anti-government extremist arrested in Oklahoma bomb plot," 14 Aug. 2017
Few can disagree with his speech this week chastising our bankrupt and inert Congress.

— frank rich, Daily Intelligencer, "Everything Trump Does Must Be Viewed Through This Single Lens," 27 July 2017
Somewhere about halfway through Valerian, Besson’s aesthetics lose their power to overwhelm—and we’re left grappling with his storytelling, which is cluttered, meandering, inert.

— richard lawson, HWD, "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Is an Endearing, Eye-Popping Mess," 18 July 2017
They are made of inert material and will not rot or stick to the frame.

— lee roop, AL.com, "Rare Cold War spy jet gets some love and care in Alabama," 14 July 2017
That week, 59 firearms were found at TSA checkpoints across the U.S. as well as inert blasting caps (detonators), fireworks and knives.

— georeen tanner, Fox News, "Minneapolis Airport TSA reportedly failed 95 percent of security tests," 10 July 2017
Gradually, the ocean’s dead zones spread, killing off marine species that had dominated the oceans for hundreds of millions of years, and the gas the inert waters gave off into the atmosphere poisoned everything on land.

— david wallace-wells, Daily Intelligencer, "When Will the Planet Be Too Hot For Humans? Much, Much Sooner Than You Imagine.," 9 July 2017
More than 100 weapons were found Thursday when investigators searched Officer Robert Cain’s home, including several assault rifles, a non-functioning grenade launcher, and inert grenades, according to the official.

— michael balsamo, The Seattle Times, "Official: Los Angeles officer had dozens of illegal guns," 26 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of inert

Latin inert-, iners unskilled, idle, from in- + art-, ars skill — more at arm

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First Known Use: 1647

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inert Synonyms

Synonyms

dead, dormant, fallow, free, idle, inactive, inoperative, latent, off, unused, vacant

Synonym Discussion of inert

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

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

INERT Defined for English Language Learners

inert

adjective

Definition of inert for English Language Learners

: unable to move
: moving or acting very slowly
chemistry : not able to affect other chemicals when in contact with them : not chemically reactive

INERT Defined for Kids

inert

adjective in·ert \ i-ˈnərt \

Definition of inert for Students

:unable or slow to move or react

inert gas

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inertness

noun

Medical Dictionary

inert

adjective in·ert \ in-ˈərt \

medical Definition of inert

1 :lacking the power to move

2 :deficient in active properties; especially :lacking a usual or anticipated chemical or biological action

an inert drug

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inertness

noun

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INERT Defined for English Language Learners

inert

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inert

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