1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity
some volcanoes have eruptive cycles marked by long stretches of dormancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inertia
lack of action or activity
a fighting force that could be roused instantly from dormancy to action
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dormancy
No amount of fertilizer will bring the lawn out of dormancy; the growing conditions must change.
—
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2025
For phytoplankton, the organisms sink to the bottom of the ocean during dormancy, and they are eventually covered by sediment over time and preserved by the lack of oxygen.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025
After 17 years of dormancy, a new group of investors purchased the Commonwealth brand and building in 2019, slightly tweaking the name to Old Commonwealth.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
In Napa Valley, grapevines are typically pruned during the winter months, from December to February, before emerging from dormancy.
—Jill Barth, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2025
For phytoplankton, the organisms sink to the bottom of the ocean during dormancy, and they are eventually covered by sediment over time and preserved by the lack of oxygen.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025
After 17 years of dormancy, a new group of investors purchased the Commonwealth brand and building in 2019, slightly tweaking the name to Old Commonwealth.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
In Napa Valley, grapevines are typically pruned during the winter months, from December to February, before emerging from dormancy.
—Jill Barth, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
Noun
-
Aaron Ekblad’s 20-game PED suspension threw a wrench in the works, though, pushing Jones back up the lineup for the last chunk of the regular season.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
Steinberg also successfully defended Arizona Cardinals Place Kicker Matt Prater, who had a yearlong alcohol suspension reduced to one month.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
Break inertia with quick decisions and immediate action.—
Veronica Angela,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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The same inertia that once held you back can eventually work in your favor.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The missing logic is very evident in the thriller that also fails to offer thrills and suspense.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
The audience is at risk of being too many steps ahead of the action, and the time between McRobbie’s first appearance and the official onscreen reveal is too long to keep up the appropriate amount of suspense.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Although Schneider's exact date predictions may or may not come to pass, the pattern of the super-active phase followed by quiescence and dimming suggests that the nova is just around the corner.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Surviving Extreme Conditions No other insect is known to switch between quiescence and obligate diapause.—
Cody Cottier,
Discover Magazine,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The piece was impossible to grasp in its totality, much as the forces contributing to the deterioration of the environment are difficult for us as humans to apprehend, which pushes us toward inaction or neglect.—
Naima Morelli,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
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The cost of inaction far outweighs the cost of implementation.—
Richard Danforth,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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