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
This period of dormancy is referred to as torpor, as bears reduce activity and stay largely inside their warm dens.
—
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
In late spring, when the trees have donned their leafy canopies, the ephemerals return to dormancy instead of struggling to grow in deep shade.
—Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
But by the early 2000s, Echinus slowly dwindled into dormancy.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
Unclaimed funds fall into a dormancy period, usually consisting of up to five years in some states.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
In late spring, when the trees have donned their leafy canopies, the ephemerals return to dormancy instead of struggling to grow in deep shade.
—Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
But by the early 2000s, Echinus slowly dwindled into dormancy.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
Unclaimed funds fall into a dormancy period, usually consisting of up to five years in some states.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
Noun
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The clever tuning of the suspension and the steering wheel -- that's what our engineers are incredibly skilled at.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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That aligns with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, which said in a statement that the two-week suspension of strikes in Iran does not include the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.—
Will Weissert,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The narrators of these songs are trapped inside their habits, aware that the inertia of their personalities is too strong to be moved by another person.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Pitchfork,
7 Apr. 2026
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These are lighter, more heat-resistant, and have less inertia, which translates to sharper turn-in and less effort to move the thing.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But what else is there to be said about a game devoid of suspense and that did nothing to abate fears that the Padres’ starting pitching will be its Achilles.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Despite the issues with the production, namely the too-tame suspense at times, this is a sharp cast of veterans.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Factors such as diet, stress, and inactivity can raise cholesterol levels.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
1 Apr. 2026
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Warming temperatures from climate change will likely lead to high levels of physical inactivity in the future, which could have significant public health implications.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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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Meghan Blanco, a former federal prosecutor and veteran defense attorney, suggested Gee’s inaction with Essayli might be a clever act of resistance.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
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If Social Security reserves run out as currently projected around 2033, beneficiaries will face an automatic cut of 23 percent, with potentially more to come if inaction continues.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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