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 fourth-year receiver out of Ohio State has been a lone bright spot for a dormant offense.
—
Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The team directly compared the DNA of inducible (active) and non-inducible (dormant) viruses to see whether dormant ones might someday reawaken.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
Nebraska leaders resurrected the long-dormant plans for the canal in 2022 after Colorado water leaders outlined plans to use and store more water from the river.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
The trend of a dormant half of football continued.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The team directly compared the DNA of inducible (active) and non-inducible (dormant) viruses to see whether dormant ones might someday reawaken.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
Nebraska leaders resurrected the long-dormant plans for the canal in 2022 after Colorado water leaders outlined plans to use and store more water from the river.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
The trend of a dormant half of football continued.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
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The Warriors' 15th and final roster spot will reportedly remain vacant until the journeyman guard is brought back to the team.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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In August, the city laid off 169 workers and slashed hundreds of vacant positions to make up for part of that shortfall.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
A lot of people are asleep, and many are upset about what’s going on in the White House, Michael Curtis of Charlotte said.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Oct. 2025
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The video shows the pup lounging around in various positions in a home setting, from asleep on the floor and over a blanket to playing with a dog toy and lying on the floor with her legs in the air as a hand rubs her belly.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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According to Canada Post, the previous disruptions will force the carrier to take time to clear the mail and parcels that had been sitting idle within its network.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Oct. 2025
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And after Bill Belichick and North Carolina dominated the news during their idle week, there’s plenty of intriguing on-field action to watch on Saturday.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Taking minoxidil orally can support the hair follicle cycle and trigger anagen (the resting phase) prematurely.—
Jessie Quinn,
Flow Space,
23 Sep. 2025
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During the resting phase, hair stops growing and will shed, or fall out.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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This is an open-box unit, meaning it was returned unused or lightly handled and repackaged after inspection.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
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The Greek forward was an unused substitute for Brighton’s 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the last fixture before the October international break.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
An off smell or sour odor signals spoilage.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
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Virginia’s off-year races are viewed as critical bellwethers of the electorate’s mood ahead of the midterms.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was declared deceased after being taken to a local hospital, per the outlets.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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Orchids need more of a trim to remove dead or spent leaves and flowers to prevent diseases and pests, maintain size, and encourage new blooms.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rookie cornerback Upton Stout was one of the 49ers’ seven inactive players for Sunday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, which could mean Deommodore Lenoir will get some duty at slot corner.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
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McLaughlin goes back to being inactive with Tyler Badie healthy again this weekend.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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