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
Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026
Its 2019 and 2022 editions took place in late fall — a move designed to boost tourism and staycations at downtown hotels on what is typically a fallow November weekend.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
To reduce water use and comply with the groundwater law, Arvin-Edison is starting to buy some farmland and leave the fields fallow.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fallow
Adjective
Amend the soil and leave it fallow.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026
Its 2019 and 2022 editions took place in late fall — a move designed to boost tourism and staycations at downtown hotels on what is typically a fallow November weekend.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
A week before the meeting, Whorton spoke to water users near Oakley who are planning for a single cutting of hay before leaving fields fallow.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
To reduce water use and comply with the groundwater law, Arvin-Edison is starting to buy some farmland and leave the fields fallow.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fallow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallow
Adjective
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Prosecutors in Sacramento alleged that Williamson and at least two others conspired to funnel funds from former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra's dormant campaign account.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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Williamson admitted to diverting $225,000 from a dormant Beccera campaign account to Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s longtime chief of staff.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
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After severe thunderstorms raked Washington on Friday evening, the Kennedy Center sought one more extension before complying with a noon Saturday deadline.—
Steven Sloan,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
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How To Clean Cotton/Jersey Gardening Gloves Cotton makes a good all-purpose glove for raking leaves and tidying your yard.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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Manager Mark Kotsay said a more thorough evaluation will be made during the club's off day Thursday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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Up next Following an off day on Thursday, the Giants will welcome the Chicago Cubs for three games at Oracle Park.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The post-op row, however, is proving tough to hoe for a small business owner used to putting in hours well beyond overtime.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 May 2026
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Somebody hoed the soil and discovered this underneath.—
Sarah Douglas,
ARTnews.com,
5 May 2026
Adjective
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Other mammoth rehab projects in the works nearby are expected to help fill vacant offices and revive aging skyscrapers with new apartments and hotel rooms.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
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The former Soul Gastrolounge space has been vacant for nearly four years, and while rumors have recently circulated online about possible new tenants, including mentions of a fast-casual chain or even a mattress store, there’s no confirmation that any of them are legitimate.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Verb
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FlareFlow, which operates under COL Group – listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s ChiNext board – has released approximately 5,200 series to date, with 33 million registered users, support for 14 languages, and a presence spanning upward of 200 countries and regions.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 June 2026
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Jelly Roll listed the date of separation as May 9, and cited irreconcilable differences.—
Sarah Sotoodeh , Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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The Sox maintained their half-game lead over the idle Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central after their series finale against the Atlanta Braves at Rate Field was postponed.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
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The pharmaceutical industry hasn't been sitting idle during this period.—
Nagesh Nama,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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 19 Jun. 2026.
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