1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter
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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
In that, Garfield’s surprising faith in Arthur’s dormant patriotism and decency pays off.
—
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
Someone’s words could catch you off guard, or perhaps awaken a part of you that’s been dormant.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
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 platform was sold to Triller Network in March 2021 but had been largely dormant for nearly three years.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
Someone’s words could catch you off guard, or perhaps awaken a part of you that’s been dormant.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
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 platform was sold to Triller Network in March 2021 but had been largely dormant for nearly three years.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
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Officials believe the fire started in the occupied home and spread to the vacant home next door.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
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No public update on the project has been released since 2023, and the land remains vacant.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Nine Ukrainian regions came under attack, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the latest assault coming as many were asleep.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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Taken to a spiritual realm, the children remain asleep and safe from the extremists’ influence.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
8 Nov. 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
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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
-
The refund would be for any unused portion of your ticket.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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There was unused equipment stored in the back room.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Other Republicans say the criticism of the party’s performance is overkill, noting that the major elections of the evening took place in blue-leaning states during an off-year election.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
6 Nov. 2025
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Superstar Victor Wembanyama had an off night, scoring just nine points to go with nine rebounds and four blocks.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The cemetery of good but dead laws is infinite; the main thing is that social forces exist.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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These ghosts, which take the form of their dead friends, are mostly just goofy, with the shoddy special effects and glowy auras giving the whole thing a distinctly Haunted Mansion vibe; critically, the threat never feels real, which undermines any tension.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In contrast, the north-pole was thought to be geologically inactive.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
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The rest, four of which are now inactive, were in Texas, North Carolina, Missouri, Georgia, Michigan and Indiana.—
Deena Sabry,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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