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
Most thinning cuts are made when the plant is dormant.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
The mess has led to the rise of former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, whose longtime top advisor just pleaded guilty to fraud after being busted in a scheme to steal funds from one of Becerra’s campaign accounts that was dormant.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Over the past two decades or so, Lynn has revived, modernized, and enlarged on a long-dormant antitrust ideology, spreading its tenets with astonishing energy.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
The Mauna Kea Observatories are a group of massive telescopes located at the summit of a dormant volcano.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
The mess has led to the rise of former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, whose longtime top advisor just pleaded guilty to fraud after being busted in a scheme to steal funds from one of Becerra’s campaign accounts that was dormant.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Over the past two decades or so, Lynn has revived, modernized, and enlarged on a long-dormant antitrust ideology, spreading its tenets with astonishing energy.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
The Mauna Kea Observatories are a group of massive telescopes located at the summit of a dormant volcano.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
-
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
-
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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Anyone who likes keeping the balcony doors open at night and falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves should enjoy the Ocean Rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Veeze’s signature rapping voice, which sounds like his vocal cords are coated in phlegm and cough syrup, is increasingly versatile, despite the sometimes half-asleep delivery.—
Matthew Ritchie,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Decades of redlining, redistricting and urban abandonment have left more than 250,000 vacant, privately and publicly owned lots sitting completely idle.—
Stephanie Tharpe,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
-
Colbert doesn’t plan to be idle for long.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 May 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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There's no need to let your unused winter gear continue taking up space in your garage.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
3 June 2026
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Midfielder Trey Nyoni would certainly benefit from regular first-team football elsewhere after being an unused substitute 23 times in the Premier League in 2025-26.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 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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He was taken by paramedics to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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Natalee was declared legally dead in January 2012 In September 2011, Natalee's father, Dave, filed a petition in Alabama probate court requesting that Natalee be declared legally dead.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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