Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

dormant

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of dormant

1 being in a state of suspended consciousness
  • the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter
Synonyms of dormant

asleep, dozing, napping, resting, sleeping, slumbering
Words Related to dormant

drowsy, nodding, sleepy, slumberous (or slumbrous), somnolent

dreaming, reposing

hypnotized, mesmerized

comatose, semiconscious

sleepwalking, somnambulant
Phrases Synonymous with dormant

at rest
Near Antonyms of dormant

aware, conscious

sleepless

aroused, astir, awakened, roused, up, wakened

reawakened, revived
Antonyms of dormant

awake, sleepless, wakeful, wide-awake
2 not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
  • the engine lay dormant in the garage until we found a use for it
Synonyms of dormant

dead, fallow, free, idle, inactive, inert, inoperative, latent, off, unused, vacant
Words Related to dormant

abeyant, arrested, interrupted, suspended

unoccupied

asleep, comatose, lifeless, moribund, quiescent, sleepy

inoperable, unusable, unworkable, useless

dull, slow
Phrases Synonymous with dormant

at rest, on the shelf, out of commission
Near Antonyms of dormant

functional, operable, operational, workable

assiduous, industrious, sedulous

energetic, vigorous

feasible, practical, usable (also useable), useful, viable
Antonyms of dormant

active, alive, busy, employed, functioning, going, living, on, operating, operative, running, working

Synonym Discussion of dormant

latent, dormant, quiescent, potential mean not now showing signs of activity or existence. latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop.
    • a latent desire for success
dormant suggests the inactivity of something (such as a feeling or power) as though sleeping.
    • their passion had lain dormant
quiescent suggests a usually temporary cessation of activity.
    • the disease was quiescent
potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have.
    • a potential disaster

Learn More about dormant

  1. See words that rhyme with dormant Dictionary: Definition of dormant Spanish Central: Translation of dormant Nglish: Translation of dormant for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dormant for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up dormant? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

resurrection

Listen to the pronounciation of resurrection

an act or instance of returning to life

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. surveillance Comey comments on Barr's use of 'spy'

  2. cavalier Virginia wins men's championship

  3. redact, redacted Barr discusses release of report

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games