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
In 2019, Trump, in his first term, resurrected the combatant command at Peterson Space Force Base as a standalone entity after a 17-year dormancy.
—
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Most plants have new growth during the longer days of spring and summer and enter a period of slowness or dormancy during shorter days of autumn and winter.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 14 Sep. 2025
Every week that goes by, the new plants will require less maintenance because the plants are headed to winter dormancy.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Sep. 2025
Shortening days toward the end of summer are the signal for trees to prepare for dormancy.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Most plants have new growth during the longer days of spring and summer and enter a period of slowness or dormancy during shorter days of autumn and winter.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 14 Sep. 2025
Every week that goes by, the new plants will require less maintenance because the plants are headed to winter dormancy.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Sep. 2025
Shortening days toward the end of summer are the signal for trees to prepare for dormancy.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
Noun
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His older brother, Mario, is also a HSV player, albeit one serving a four-year suspension for a doping violation.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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But Indonesia’s House of Representatives said that the license suspension would not cause severe impact on such users.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And by the inertia of ownership.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Character animations are slick, but reliable in their control and inertia — rarely leading to flubs caused by anything other than player error.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In a thriller, the suspense is built around a challenge posed to the protagonist — the last big score before retiring, being innocently accused of a crime or accidentally getting involved in something dangerous and deadly.—
Anders de la Motte,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
-
In other words, suspense isn’t about surprise.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The full list includes things like obesity, physical inactivity, and social isolation—but not sleep.—
Arianna Huffington,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
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Luckily, their inactivity lasted only two-and-a-half years as each member gained a newfound appreciation for the band during its absence.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Russian state propaganda is formidable, but sufficient economic hardship could disturb the quiescence of Russian society.—
Celeste A. Wallander,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Sep. 2025
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On September 16, 2024, after a long period of quiescence in interest rate policy, the Federal Reserve finally lowered the Fed Funds Rate target – the first downshift in more than 4 years.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Yet, members of Congress continue to receive their salaries and benefits, insulated from the consequences of their inaction.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Every day of inaction brings us closer to a crisis.—
Tesfaye Negussie,
ABC News,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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