as in recession
a lack of activity or development and especially economic development
After years of economic stagnation, employment numbers began to rise.
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Recent Examples of stagnation
Science fiction visions in this vein, such as Kim Stanley Robinson’s 2312, recast a Vaal-like god-computer as a force not for stagnation but for human flourishing.
—
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 29 Sep. 2025
August saw a revival of sorts before the onset of fall witnessed more stagnation.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
This stagnation limits the size and depth of Europe’s capital market.
—Dalibor Rohac, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2025
One partner’s growth and clarity and the other’s sense of stagnation may evoke comparison, inadequacy or shame.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagnation
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 29 Sep. 2025
August saw a revival of sorts before the onset of fall witnessed more stagnation.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
This stagnation limits the size and depth of Europe’s capital market.
—Dalibor Rohac, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2025
One partner’s growth and clarity and the other’s sense of stagnation may evoke comparison, inadequacy or shame.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stagnation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagnation
Noun
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With 70% of the country now in or nearing recession, Americans are already feeling gloomier.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
10 Oct. 2025
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That period has coincided with data releases indicating a sharp labor market slowdown, which some observers consider a harbinger of a possible recession.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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August saw both a relaxation in some home purchase restrictions and a high-profile acknowledgement by Chinese Premier Li Qiang that the real estate slump remained unresolved, indicating the need for more support.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
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The bad news, at least as far as Bowman is concerned, is that every slump, or loss, or (especially) bad goal against will feel like a referendum on his vision.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Additionally, mental health plays a significant role in global mortality, according to the new research, with burden from anxiety and depression surging.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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What begins as occasional recreational betting too often spirals into financial instability, anxiety and depression, and high-risk habits.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stagnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagnation. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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