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
Take advantage of pre-season sales, prune dormant plants, and prep tools and containers.
—
Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
The 48-year-old designer joined Patou, which had been dormant for 30 years, after LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton acquired majority control in 2018.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
And while most flowers go dormant in the winter, that's when snowdrops wake up, according to the New York Botanical Garden.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
When the plant goes dormant, move it to a safe but unheated location for the winter.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
The 48-year-old designer joined Patou, which had been dormant for 30 years, after LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton acquired majority control in 2018.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
And while most flowers go dormant in the winter, that's when snowdrops wake up, according to the New York Botanical Garden.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
When the plant goes dormant, move it to a safe but unheated location for the winter.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
-
City officials hope to reverse that trend by revitalizing the downtown area, from attracting businesses to vacant storefronts to developing unused city sites, such as the corner lot burdened with the remains of Hotel Marysville, which was destroyed by fire in 2024.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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As the luxury building sat vacant, taggers armed with spray paint flocked there, hoping to leave a colorful mark on the city skyline.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo said the five-second video showed the young woman asleep at the time.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Long-haul and overnight flights, for example, give thieves ample time and opportunity to peruse through suitcases and personal item bags while passengers are asleep, says Figgins.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Utah was idle on Saturday after falling to the Magic in Orlando on Saturday.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
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Most large fortunes are not sitting in piles of idle cash.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Taking minoxidil orally can support the hair follicle cycle and trigger anagen (the resting phase) prematurely.—
Jessie Quinn,
Flow Space,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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Since then, the motel has sat unused even as the city’s new mayor, Mike Johnston, has bought or leased other hotels around the city and quickly moved in people off the streets.—
Thomas Gounley,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Though no date has been set, the Dodgers will play three games in Washington from April 3 to 5, with an off day April 2 following a six-game homestand to open the season.—
Ed Guzman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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Both companies are known for their off-Loop musicals and are longtime favorites of the all-volunteer Joseph Jefferson Awards committee.—
Doug George,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Sudan plunged into chaos in April 2023 when a power struggle between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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He was taken to the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, the medical examiner’s office said.—
William Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The city previously had a Senior Services Commission, but it was made inactive in 2007 and its activities formally suspended, according to a news release from the city.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
During these years, some vaccines used an inactive virus, which was not as effective as the current vaccine, which is a live, attenuated (weakened) type.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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