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
These hormones develop during dormancy and are a metaphorical gas pedal for plant growth.
—
Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Reopened under local ownership after years of dormancy, Saddleback in Maine has quietly become one of New England’s most compelling alternatives.
—Caroline Tell, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
Some plants go into winter dormancy, in which new growth stops and appearance suffers—and then there are plants that are really on their way out due to issues like underwatering, overwatering, or lack of light.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Here, our experts break down which trees must be pruned during this period of deep dormancy—along with some best practices to follow.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Reopened under local ownership after years of dormancy, Saddleback in Maine has quietly become one of New England’s most compelling alternatives.
—Caroline Tell, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
Some plants go into winter dormancy, in which new growth stops and appearance suffers—and then there are plants that are really on their way out due to issues like underwatering, overwatering, or lack of light.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Here, our experts break down which trees must be pruned during this period of deep dormancy—along with some best practices to follow.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
Noun
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In many Eastern traditions, by contrast, eternity is the immovable that resists change, a condition of suspension extending across infinity.—
Li Qi,
Artforum,
6 Mar. 2026
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The board indicated Becker can apply for reinstatement if his Iowa license once the 90-day suspension has lapsed.—
Clark Kauffman,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Agentic commerce will undermine any model that relies on inertia, human friction, or inconvenience to survive.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Mechanically, the As2 features 12 degrees of freedom driven by low-inertia, high-speed inner rotor PMSM motors.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Framed as a psychological thriller for fans of Gillian Flynn’s suspense antics and Donna Tartt’s cerebral ones, this novel evokes the underground with an insider’s eye.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
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Perhaps the intent is to cultivate suspense, yet the effect is a frustrating vagueness around the base conditions for the show’s central infatuation.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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With Tottenham just one point above safety, their reasons for inactivity in the January window are inadequate.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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After weeks of inactivity on the fainting front, Whoopi Goldberg has officially collapsed on The View once again.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
We cannot be cowed into quiescence.—
Brian Kolp,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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This is a region of gravitational quiescence about a million miles from Earth, where ESCAPADE will linger for a year awaiting a more favorable alignment between Earth and Mars.—
Morgan McFall-Johnsen,
Scientific American,
13 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The cost of inaction could be substantial enough to justify urging candidates to assess their viability before the filing deadline.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
To worry first about overreach rather than about the consequences of inaction.—
Ken Toltz,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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