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
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2025
Sure, there was an individual performance in a variety or music program category during some of those fallow 20th century years, but sketch performers hardly won that, either, and besides, who even remembers that award?
—Steven Zeitch, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 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
This perennial rapidly establishes on disturbed sites, such as construction lots, behind barns, or in fallow fields.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2025
Sure, there was an individual performance in a variety or music program category during some of those fallow 20th century years, but sketch performers hardly won that, either, and besides, who even remembers that award?
—Steven Zeitch, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 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
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In the garden, renewal reigns—from dormant perennials emerging in spring to shrubs bouncing back from a severe pruning, nature refreshes itself.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
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Pruning is usually done at specific times of the year, typically while a plant is dormant, before new growth emerges in spring, or once the blooming cycle of a plant is done for the season.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Key Takeaways Clear the soil of diseased plants and weeds, then rake it flat.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
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In addition to raking the traps, the greenskeeper at the country club also hired McConaughey to hunt the armadillos that were wreaking havoc on the greens of the golf course.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
4 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
-
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
Verb
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Then a tall, solemn Mexican appeared, hoe in hand.—
Jack O'Connor,
Outdoor Life,
23 Oct. 2025
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The wineries of Oregon’s northern Willamette Valley have long hoed their own path.—
Liza B. Zimmerman,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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
Verb
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Loewen’s case is not listed in El Dorado Superior Court.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
-
The Eagles have officially listed Johnson as questionable to return with an ankle injury.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
Verb
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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
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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 18 Nov. 2025.
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