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 the top of the eighth, after a stretch of collective dormancy, Muncy jolted the Dodgers awake by making the most of another hit.
—
Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
After years of dormancy, there are rumors swirling that Bradley Cooper will replace Gosling as Papa Ocean.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
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
Those trees and flowers waking up from their winter dormancy only bring headaches and congestion.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
After years of dormancy, there are rumors swirling that Bradley Cooper will replace Gosling as Papa Ocean.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
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
Those trees and flowers waking up from their winter dormancy only bring headaches and congestion.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
Noun
-
Once receiver Rashee Rice returned from a six-game suspension, the Chiefs offense looked nearly unstoppable at times in the middle of the season, which included home blowout wins over the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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He is briefly named in a 2023 Wisconsin Watch and Wisconsin Public Radio investigation into the state's suspension of pandemic-era grant funding for a small business belonging to Roundtree's mother, Cynthia Brown.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Funny, though, that this movie could be viewed as the flip side of Causeway, a quiet drama that’s also about a woman at a crossroads who snaps out of her inertia thanks to meeting a kindly stranger.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
8 Nov. 2025
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Where the first half of the 1600 conversation explored how young men are drifting toward the right through grievance, alienation and algorithmic content, this installment challenges Democrats to confront their own inertia.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Start the new year with a little extra suspense.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Dec. 2025
-
And, the heightened level of suspense, coupled with the reader’s invitation to examine the complexities of the human heart, definitely makes this book a must-read.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
One of the dogs had pressure sores on all of its limbs, indicating inactivity, the detective wrote.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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How periods of inactivity affect cognitive performance For most of us, everyday life is characterized by a lack of movement.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Through the night, melatonin production rises, putting cells into a deeper state of quiescence.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Russian state propaganda is formidable, but sufficient economic hardship could disturb the quiescence of Russian society.—
Celeste A. Wallander,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Because one student going hungry due to government inaction is one too many.—
Robert Moreno,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Mysteriously, Singer never pursued the suit any further and a judge dismissed the case in May 2012 for inaction.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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