Synonym Chooser

How is the word dormant distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of dormant are latent, potential, and quiescent. While all these words mean "not now showing signs of activity or existence," dormant suggests the inactivity of something (such as a feeling or power) as though sleeping.

their passion had lain dormant

Where would latent be a reasonable alternative to dormant?

The words latent and dormant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop.

a latent desire for success

When is it sensible to use potential instead of dormant?

The synonyms potential and dormant are sometimes interchangeable, but potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have.

a potential disaster

When can quiescent be used instead of dormant?

In some situations, the words quiescent and dormant are roughly equivalent. However, quiescent suggests a usually temporary cessation of activity.

the disease was quiescent

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dormant This means your lawn is dormant and should be revived with watering. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 22 July 2025 Shipbuilding in the United States has been all but dormant. Adam Reiss, NBC news, 17 July 2025 While Nine Inch Nails itself has been largely dormant since 2020’s Ghosts album series, Reznor and Ross have still been busy working behind the scenes. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2025 That rivalry, dormant since the last meeting in 2011, will renew as a non-conference clash on Sept. 6 in Columbia. Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
  • One of the buildings next door was evacuated, while the other was vacant.
    Chevall Pryce, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Last week, the university eliminated more than 400 positions, half of which were already vacant.
    Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Within 30 minutes of being picked up, Giovanni texted his mother, who had been studying for an upcoming pharmacy board exam and was asleep.
    Janelle Griffith, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • The clip shows a woman—who is said to be around 6.5 feet tall—gingerly climbing over a fellow passenger who appears to be asleep in the aisle seat.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The days of neglecting idle IP address blocks without repercussions are over.
    Vincentas Grinius, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Too often, subcontractors are forced to sit idle while bureaucratic delays stall projects.
    Rusty Plowman, Denver Post, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • During the resting phase, hair stops growing and will shed, or fall out.
    Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 10 July 2025
  • Telogen Stage The telogen stage of the hair cycle is a resting phase, during which the hair doesn't grow, and the follicle is dormant.1 About 10% to 15% of the hairs on your body are in this resting phase at any one time, which typically lasts for a few months.
    Nancy LeBrun, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In the city of Cluj, located within the country’s Transylvania region, a bailiff named Orsolya (Eszter Tompa) evicts the homeless Ion (Gabriel Spahiu) from the unused cellar of a local house to make way for the construction of the Kontinental boutique hotel.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Any unused bonus bets will expire after that period of time.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Interim manager Ray Montgomery agreed that plan made sense, despite the recent number of off days.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The game was suspended due to rain in the first inning and then completed the following afternoon, which was supposed to be an off day.
    John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Byron Black, who was convicted of the 1988 murders of his girlfriend Angela Clay and her two young daughters, ages 6 and 9, was pronounced dead at 10:43 a.m.
    Christina Coulter, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Clay's other daughter, 6-year-old Lakeisha, was found dead on the floor in another bedroom with multiple gunshot wounds.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Data centers that remain inactive for more than 15 consecutive months have to be decommissioned, according to the ordinance.
    Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The case is listed as inactive and pending after the state asked to keep the case open.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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