1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vacant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
the engine lay dormant in the garage until we found a use for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The cause of the blaze has not been determined, but the company has acknowledged that it may have been sparked by a faulty dormant power line operated by Edison.
—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Perhaps the Flyers believe that a certain segment of the fan base that’s been dormant through what has been a mostly incompetent decade will awaken with the return of one of the organization’s most popular all-time players now running the day-to-day operations at ice level.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Senate Democrats also raised questions about donations people connected to those credits made to Long’s dormant Senate campaign, after Trump announced his nomination to head the IRS.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 20 May 2025
Balenciaga remained dormant until 1986, when beauty firm Jacques Bogart SA acquired the intellectual property and resumed operations, including licensing.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Perhaps the Flyers believe that a certain segment of the fan base that’s been dormant through what has been a mostly incompetent decade will awaken with the return of one of the organization’s most popular all-time players now running the day-to-day operations at ice level.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Senate Democrats also raised questions about donations people connected to those credits made to Long’s dormant Senate campaign, after Trump announced his nomination to head the IRS.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 20 May 2025
Balenciaga remained dormant until 1986, when beauty firm Jacques Bogart SA acquired the intellectual property and resumed operations, including licensing.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
-
Sadly, the Skirvin closed its doors in the late '80s and sat vacant for two decades.—
Anne Roderique-Jones,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2025
-
Big cities like Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Houston, New York, Miami and San Francisco are also being hit by the effects of vacant office buildings.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Infant Lili — who seemed to be asleep! — kept cozy in a striped hat as Meghan held her daughter in her arms.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
4 June 2025
-
In addition to the Washington, D.C., and Boulder attacks, a 38-year-old man was arrested in April and charged with firebombing the Pennsylvania governor's residence in Harrisburg, while Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, and his family were asleep inside, officials said.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
So, out of the $403 million payroll, $93.75 million worth of pitchers are idle (not counting Ohtani).—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
22 May 2025
-
Built for Efficiency: Save Smarter, Live Freer The Apex 300 leads the class in power efficiency, sipping just 20W in idle mode—ideal for stretching backup runtime.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Green Bay could finish as high as sixth in the NFC if the resting Rams lose to the 49ers, potentially setting up a first-round matchup against the division-rival Lions.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2024
Adjective
-
The Army said 6,700 soldiers will begin arriving Washington, D.C., on June 11 and will sleep on cots inside unused federal office buildings, including the Department of Agriculture.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
21 May 2025
-
Casemiro was an unused substitute in nine out of 15 Premier League matches at the beginning of his new head coach’s tenure.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
For those who aren’t seeking beach time, the island also was praised for offering historic sites, golf courses and other off-shore activities.—
Simone Jasper,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
After an off day Thursday, the Arizona Diamondbacks come to GABP for three games.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
He was pronounced dead at the scene by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2025
-
The silver vehicle then hit the 84-year-old woman, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
Sitting places the glutes in a lengthened, inactive state that pushes the pelvis forward and puts the lower back at a painfully compressed, mechanical disadvantage, which in turn creates a posture that feels tight, stiff and unstable.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
-
The Fever's game against the Washington Mystics on Wednesday marked the first time in Clark's WNBA that she was listed as inactive.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share