1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 dormant
Instead, prune potentilla when the plants are dormant in winter and clip back the thickest stems all the way to the ground since these stems usually won’t rebloom.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2025
As Sam makes his way to Bushwick, in the hopes of resurrecting his dormant stage persona, Romero acclimatizes us to the catty, interpersonal backstage drama of the cabaret’s moving parts, endearing us to each character in the process.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 10 June 2025
As a measure of how dormant the rivalry is, the two teams have not faced each other since 2008 — a year before Thomas Muller, who will leave Bayern this summer as their record appearance-maker with 751 (so far), had even made his competitive debut.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Before Thursday, the court case had become somewhat dormant since the judge had made initial rulings against Trump’s actions around Harvard student visas.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2025
As Sam makes his way to Bushwick, in the hopes of resurrecting his dormant stage persona, Romero acclimatizes us to the catty, interpersonal backstage drama of the cabaret’s moving parts, endearing us to each character in the process.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 10 June 2025
As a measure of how dormant the rivalry is, the two teams have not faced each other since 2008 — a year before Thomas Muller, who will leave Bayern this summer as their record appearance-maker with 751 (so far), had even made his competitive debut.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Before Thursday, the court case had become somewhat dormant since the judge had made initial rulings against Trump’s actions around Harvard student visas.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
-
In 1870, Mississippi legislators voted 81 to 15 to elect Revels to the Senate to finish the term of one of the state’s two U.S Senate seats, which had been left vacant since the Civil War.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2025
-
Earlier this month, Udoka was the subject of interest from the New York Knicks for their vacant head coaching position, one that the Rockets vehemently shut down.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Hargitay and her siblings (who were all asleep in the backseat) survived with minor injuries.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
29 June 2025
-
The kids were asleep in the back seat; the three adults in the front—Mansfield, her companion at the time, and the car’s driver—were killed instantly.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
For companies with aspirations to list in the next 12 to 24 months, the current limbo is not a time to sit idle.—
Rene Musech,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
These are just 11-on-11 stats compiled by SNY's Connor Hughes, but this says Jaxson Dart isn't coming to work to accept a backup position and sit idle for a year.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Telogen Stage The telogen stage of the hair cycle is a resting phase, during which the hair doesn't grow, and the follicle is dormant.1 About 10% to 15% of the hairs on your body are in this resting phase at any one time, which typically lasts for a few months.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
13 Jan. 2025
-
Green Bay could finish as high as sixth in the NFC if the resting Rams lose to the 49ers, potentially setting up a first-round matchup against the division-rival Lions.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2024
Adjective
-
There appears to be a large, long unused or maintained pool on the property.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2025
-
Real-time weather inputs—cloud ceilings, dust plumes, wind shear—could sharpen targeting windows and reduce risk, but today often sit unused due to bureaucratic lags.—
Charles Beames,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Entering play Thursday, an off day for the Yankees, the reigning American League MVP had the highest average (.361), OPS (1.180), fWAR (6.1) and wRC+ (221) in baseball.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2025
-
His hope is two off days — Wednesday’s game and the team’s off-day on Thursday — will put him in position to return to the lineup on Friday in Cincinnati.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Topline Authorities reportedly identified the man suspected of killing two firefighters and injuring another in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—after he was found dead next to the sniper rifle believed to be used to ambush firefighters responding to a wildfire.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Last year, a 19-year-old female employee at a Walmart in Canada was found dead inside a walk-in oven at the store's bakery department.—
Nicole Brown Chau,
CBS News,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the site was inactive and contained no nuclear material, but Israel said the strike was aimed at preventing future weapons development.—
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
-
The state Supreme Court still must approve Spolin’s disbarment, but his license will be inactive in the meantime, barring him from working as a lawyer.—
Harriet Ryan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share