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fallow 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of fallownext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fallow

2 of 2

verb

as in to rake

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fallow
Adjective
Those mid-’80s years, so crucial to a 10-year-old kid forming his fandom, were fallow. — Sean Gregory, Time, 14 June 2026 The land would then lie fallow until the next rainy season so elephants could graze without threatening the farmers' livelihood. — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 16 May 2026
Verb
District officials say that could force growers to fallow hundreds of thousands of acres. — Jeff St. John, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026 Continuing to cut farm water allocations is on track to fallow a million acres or more of irrigated farmland in the state, causing a devastating loss of jobs and economic productivity. — Edward Ring, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fallow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallow
  1. dormant
  2. rake
  3. off
  4. hoe
  5. vacant
  6. list
  7. idle
  8. harrow
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, the current owner of the inn took her children to the farmers market in the square across from the dormant building every Saturday throughout their childhoods.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Apply a summer-weight dormant oil to your pachysandra during the crawler stages for more control.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of dormant
Verb
  • Sow the bahia seeds and lightly rake them into the ground or cover with about a half inch of lawn soil.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Story’s unproductive 10 rehab games with Triple-A Worcester, coupled with the rise of top prospect Franklin Arias, a shortstop raking at Triple A, created an echo chamber of angst about Story returning and underperforming.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of rake
Adjective
  • His off-field earnings include licensing payouts from the NFL Players Association, which topped $8 million in 2025.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • To prevent this, the researchers gave the adhesive an off switch.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of off
Verb
  • 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
  • The $10 general admission during the Lilac Festival on weekends includes petting zoo, lilac maze, hoe down & jug band shows, lawn games, and lilac viewing.
    — Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of hoe
Adjective
  • That included eliminating 400 vacant positions, tapping an $89 million rail-project reserve to cover transit expenses and using an affordable-housing reserve to pay for a county eviction-reduction program.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The old data center building that has been sitting vacant out beyond centerfield is slated to come down, making way for more development.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of vacant
Verb
  • Dillie confirmed to the AJC that the address listed on the voting record is his former residence in Las Vegas and is owned by his godfather.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Other contributing factors listed on the website include out-of-district tuition and out-of-district transportation spending.
    — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of list
Adjective
  • Munetaka Murakami hit his team-leading 32nd home run and the Chicago White Sox moved into a tie with idle Cleveland for first place in the AL Central with a 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Spot’s air-quality and temperature readings can also be displayed on office maps, mobile apps, or idle room screens.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of idle
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
Definition of harrow

Browse Nearby Words

fallouts
fallow
fallowed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallow. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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