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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dormant
France’s Massif Central rounds out the European picks with dormant volcanoes, deep river gorges and lush plateaus.
—
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Incidentally, monocots are not the only plants with root crowns packed with dormant buds.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
Additionally, prune any dead or inward-growing branches while the tree is dormant.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 4 June 2026
Warm-season grasses are dormant in winter and have a flush of growth when spring arrives.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Incidentally, monocots are not the only plants with root crowns packed with dormant buds.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
Additionally, prune any dead or inward-growing branches while the tree is dormant.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 4 June 2026
Warm-season grasses are dormant in winter and have a flush of growth when spring arrives.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 June 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 Cherry Creek Schools’ Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint parent Keith Frazier to a vacant seat on the five-member board.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
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Overstated savings, still-vacant buildings In 2013, The School District of Philadelphia projected $28 million in cost savings from its closure plan.—
Julia McWilliams,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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The suspect was taken into custody without incident, and the children were found safe and asleep in their room.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
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Trump has been accused of falling asleep at Cabinet and Oval Office meetings, though has denied several incidents.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Rent the Runway, now controlled by Story3 and Nexus Capital Management, is on the hunt for a permanent successor for Hyman, but is not sitting idle.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
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The rescue operation inside the cave has been idle for several days due to the heavy monsoon rains hitting the country's Xaisomboun province, rescue officials said.—
Aicha El Hammar Castano,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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That’s because when the body experiences physical stress, including losing weight quickly, more hairs can shift into a resting phase and fall out a few months later — typically two to three months after the event, Rossi explains.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
17 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Republicans, meanwhile, are whispering that Democrats' fears of unused Platner oppo are well-founded.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 June 2026
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The same goes for many other unused or still-functional school supplies, like backpacks, unopened packs of paper or binders, and even sports equipment for school activities.—
Better Homes & Gardens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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The Dodgers are in the midst of a 10-day stretch without an off day, playing into the decision to sit Ohtani Thursday.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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In managing Ohtani’s pitching workload in his first full season on the mound since 2023, the Dodgers have used off days on the schedule to give Ohtani a recovery day following a pitching start by backing those starts up against off days three times in his first nine starts (including last week).—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Now that the King has been dead for nearly 50 years, the impersonators have become more iconic in Vegas than the actual person.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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The main purpose is to eliminate dead skin cells and create a smooth surface for the tanning formula to penetrate.—
Deanna Pai,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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