dormancy

noun

ˈdȯr-mən(t)-sē How to pronounce dormancy (audio)
Definition of dormancynext
1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity some volcanoes have eruptive cycles marked by long stretches of dormancy

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2
as in inertia
lack of action or activity a fighting force that could be roused instantly from dormancy to action

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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 dormancy New growth sprouts at ground level when plants break dormancy in spring. — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Sep. 2026 June-bearing strawberries produce a large crop of berries in early summer and then enter a state of dormancy and stop fruiting entirely. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026 The administration has resumed strikes after months of dormancy. — Laura Romero, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 The layoffs come as Ellison has been quietly rebuilding her business after several years of near-dormancy. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
  1. suspension
  2. inertia
  3. suspense
  4. inactivity
  5. quiescence
  6. inaction
Noun
  • As of Sunday, Morin was one month into the suspension handed down by the state Supreme Court that disdained the opinion of professional discipline case referee, Judge Paul Anthony Damico.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Khan’s spokesperson, Zulfiquar Bukhari, condemned the suspension of the provincial government, calling it a disguised coup.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of suspension
Noun
  • As for whether the report helps prompt change or becomes yet another weighty academic doorstop, that remains to be seen at City Hall, where entrenched political power often combines with bureaucratic inertia to stifle innovation.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The researchers also focused on reducing the robot’s effective inertia, a property that describes how strongly an object resists changes in its motion.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of inertia
Noun
  • The new season will place an emphasis on suspense, dread and psychological terror, and expand the use of archival materials, photographs, home videos and social content.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Verity Crawford is at the height of her popularity, discussing her wildly popular romantic-suspense series, Noble Virtues, on national TV.
    — Fawnia Soo Hoo, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of suspense
Noun
  • After four years of relative inactivity, Bridgers returned with her third album, a tour, and a substantial role in longtime friend Lance Oppenheim’s new film Primetime.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • For example, Hilton points expire after 24 consecutive months of inactivity.
    — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of inactivity
Noun
  • Black liberation, no matter how distinct in its language, history, and practice, cannot be absent from any discussion of historical quiescence.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
  • Our blanket of air expands when the sun is active and contracts during times of solar quiescence.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 May 2026
Definition of quiescence
Noun
  • Martínez Díez is certain that the cost of inaction is steep regardless of a brand’s price point.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • People reported incidents from 10, 20, even 40 years ago, and claimed to have regretted their inaction ever since.
    — Vanessa Bohns, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of inaction

Browse Nearby Words

dormancies
dormancy
dormant
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Cite this Entry

“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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