1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vacant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
the engine lay dormant in the garage until we found a use for it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dormant
The hotel sits southeast of a long-dormant volcanic crater dating back roughly 150,000 years.
—
New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2026
Or is this elite, dominant version of Draymond merely lying dormant, conserving energy until the playoffs arrive, just waiting to be unleashed fully?
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Advertisement Meanwhile, as the protagonist and Vladimir develop a connection, her growing obsession with him reawakens her long dormant creative drive.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
The 61-year-old singer hinted to the Guardian in 2019 that a Hole reunion was being discussed, but the band remained dormant.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormant
New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2026
Or is this elite, dominant version of Draymond merely lying dormant, conserving energy until the playoffs arrive, just waiting to be unleashed fully?
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Advertisement Meanwhile, as the protagonist and Vladimir develop a connection, her growing obsession with him reawakens her long dormant creative drive.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
The 61-year-old singer hinted to the Guardian in 2019 that a Hole reunion was being discussed, but the band remained dormant.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
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An autopsy showed that the infant died from asphyxiation secondary to a co-sleeping/overlay event with an unsafe sleeping environment.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The church, the school, and the rest of the campus — which published reports say also included a rectory, a convent, and an annex — were left vacant.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
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In the darkness of a vacant parking lot outside Dell Children's Medical Center, more than 50 of Andres Vega's friends and family members extended their arms into the air Wednesday evening and sang his favorite spiritual song.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While the main areas can be dramatic and flashy with the disco balls, string lights, and bold colors, the rooms are light and serene—the perfect places to unwind and fall blissfully asleep.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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Since many hotels usually have a couple pillows of different firmness levels on a bed, falling and staying asleep won’t be a fever dream no matter your sleeping position.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Reuters reported Monday that traffic into and out of the Gulf was at an almost complete standstill and that hundreds of tankers were sitting idle near Hormuz.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
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But the Heat did extend its lead over the idle eighth-place Philadelphia 76ers (34-29) to one game.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is a condition where, due to stress or hormonal changes, the body puts the hair follicles into a resting phase.—
Essence,
Essence,
19 Dec. 2025
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Taking minoxidil orally can support the hair follicle cycle and trigger anagen (the resting phase) prematurely.—
Jessie Quinn,
Flow Space,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That’s because the county has been using reserves to backfill unused budget capacity in different county departments — an accounting move that only requires a simple majority of three votes to pass.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
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Donating unused or unwanted items is a smart, environmentally friendly way to clear out your home while keeping trash out of landfills.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Although Elordi leans heavily into tailoring on the red carpet, his off-duty outfits sit on the side of gorpcore-chic.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
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The $33 flip-flops have earned rave reviews from professionals constantly on their feet, such as nurses and teachers who opt for them as a recovery shoe for their off days.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The operation left dozens of people dead and dozens more wounded.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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Supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who directed the Islamic Republic’s campaign of regional terror for more than three decades, is dead.—
Andrew Ghalili,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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