as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
the coal mine has been lying fallow since the drop in prices made it unprofitable
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fallow
Carrie Battan, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Of course, this fallow year came during the ‘golden generation’ period.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2023
Congress recently allocated $4 billion in drought funding that can be used to pay farmers to fallow their land and not use their water.
—Ben Tracy, Andy Bast, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for fallow
Adjective
But the ’70s were fallow; observers at the time declared painting was dead.
—Carrie Battan, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Of course, this fallow year came during the ‘golden generation’ period.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
Compromising probably would require money — perhaps tax money — to pay farmers to fallow their land and governments to build new canals and repair old ones.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2023
Congress recently allocated $4 billion in drought funding that can be used to pay farmers to fallow their land and not use their water.
—Ben Tracy, Andy Bast, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for fallow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallow
Adjective
-
If 2026 is 2016 all over again, the spontaneous girl who’s been dormant in me for a decade couldn’t be more thrilled.—
Marianne Mychaskiw,
Allure,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Yet the magic of Bisate Reserve extends far beyond the misty mountains—from stunning nature trails on breathtaking vistas, to a soulful trek to the former research station of legendary conservationist Dian Fossey, and the chance to climb a dormant volcano.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That’s in contrast to prior generations where players would immediately jump to enter the draft to rake millions if they were given a high draft grade.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
After adding mulch, rake it into an even layer.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
With Minnesota leading by four and 1 minute, 10 seconds to play, Edwards got lackadaisical in his off-ball defense while guarding Chicago’s most potent scorer, Coby White.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
23 Jan. 2026
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Regrouping after a long trek back Monday and an off-day Tuesday, Orlando focused on the fundamentals of the game on both ends of the court while reflecting on the time spent overseas and looking ahead to the second half of the regular season.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That’s a tough row to hoe in this new era of data center bidding wars.—
Phoebe Liu,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Then a tall, solemn Mexican appeared, hoe in hand.—
Jack O'Connor,
Outdoor Life,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Gaethje also fell short in his second try at winning the UFC 155-pound belt, dropping a submission to Charles Oliveira for the vacant title in May 2022.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Flores also interviewed with the Washington Commanders for their vacant defensive coordinator post.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The bill would also require businesses that sell delivery goods, such as grocery delivery providers or DoorDash, to list a comparison of the delivery price versus the regular price if the goods were to be bought in-person at the store.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
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Big men Luka Garza and Chris Boucher both were ruled out before tipoff, and starting center Neemias Queta was listed as questionable before being upgraded to available.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Kaiser nurses statewide began an indefinite strike Monday, restarting picket lines that went idle after a five-day work stoppage in October 2025.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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With burly melancholy, Wong plays Ah Tseng, a Chinese migrant worker employed — with his young nephews — in the Rock Springs coal mines, though introduced on an idle day off in their makeshift camp.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Before the big race, the track was harrowed, bringing it to a better and drier racing surface.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
-
The research fellow who met me, Birte, was in her forties, and appeared as if she had been harrowed by her work.—
John Ganz,
Harper's Magazine,
22 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Fallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallow. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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