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
Around the age of 49 days, mice enter the telogen phase, during which hair follicles are naturally dormant and no new growth occurs for about six weeks.
—
New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
The resuscitation of dormant side characters is another hallmark of penultimate episodes.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
The latent varicella zoster virus lies dormant in the body after a person has chicken pox.
—Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
It is called Public Media Infrastructure, reviving the dormant nonprofit Public Radio International.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
The resuscitation of dormant side characters is another hallmark of penultimate episodes.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
The latent varicella zoster virus lies dormant in the body after a person has chicken pox.
—Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
It is called Public Media Infrastructure, reviving the dormant nonprofit Public Radio International.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
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Greenwood Republican Stacie Smith is seeking election to the vacant Senate District 26 seat formerly held by the late Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, Smith announced on Thursday.—
Ella McCarthy,
Arkansas Online,
31 Oct. 2025
-
City Council members approved last month cutting five employees, eliminating 15 vacant positions and other maneuvers to close a $3 million budget deficit.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Persistent trouble falling asleep or staying asleep can be a sign of insomnia or another sleep disorder.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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The adorable pup lies flat on their stomach, fast asleep, as their owner gently drags them through the airport queue—clearly not quite ready for a full day on duty.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Grand pianos and half-full liquor bottles collect dust, while colorful children’s playrooms scattered with toys are unsettlingly idle.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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But Samantha Bird, who was laid off from her job as pastry chef for Milles Fleurs restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe, didn’t stay idle for long.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
-
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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Grandma's careful planning meant that nothing went unused—a lesson that still applies today.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Kentucky Speedway, which once drew thousands of fans, is mostly unused after its last race in 2020.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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On the right side of the room, a steel cut image is projected from the wall with fiberglass rods arranged in an off center trapezoid.—
Mario Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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And then the third Wednesday is an off week.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Little Rock Police Department is investigating a shooting Sunday morning that left one person dead and another injured, the agency announced in a social media post.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
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Two suspects were arrested and a third was dead, Mexico’s security ministry said on Saturday.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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With the Dolphins potentially short-handed at safety, Elijah Campbell would figure to be active Thursday after being inactive last week.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
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Her medical license online is currently listed as inactive.—
Youri Benadjaoud,
ABC News,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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