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
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Its search comes as the city of Clearwater grapples with how to draw visitors to its quiet downtown, where entities connected to the Church of Scientology have snapped up prime real estate and left it fallow.
—Colbi Edmonds, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 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
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
Its search comes as the city of Clearwater grapples with how to draw visitors to its quiet downtown, where entities connected to the Church of Scientology have snapped up prime real estate and left it fallow.
—Colbi Edmonds, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 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
-
The pair pleaded guilty to charges that included siphoning $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign account to pad McCluskie’s salary.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2026
-
Where is everyone, and why has Grace gone dormant?—
Keith Langston,
Space.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The voice was faint and rasping, like the sound of pebbles raked by a wave.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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Likewise, rake and dispose of fallen leaves from infected trees and shrubs.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 May 2026
Adjective
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The Dodgers are in the midst of a 10-day stretch without an off day, playing into the decision to sit Ohtani Thursday.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
In managing Ohtani’s pitching workload in his first full season on the mound since 2023, the Dodgers have used off days on the schedule to give Ohtani a recovery day following a pitching start by backing those starts up against off days three times in his first nine starts (including last week).—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
4 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
-
Somebody hoed the soil and discovered this underneath.—
Sarah Douglas,
ARTnews.com,
5 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Cherry Creek Schools’ Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint parent Keith Frazier to a vacant seat on the five-member board.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
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Overstated savings, still-vacant buildings In 2013, The School District of Philadelphia projected $28 million in cost savings from its closure plan.—
Julia McWilliams,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The chip also came with an ownership agreement that required signees to list their Social Security number, gas credit card number, and astrological sign.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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The backstory Lizard Island was declared a National Park in 1937, the surrounding waters were recognised as a National Marine Park in 1974, and the Great Barrier Reef was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Decades of redlining, redistricting and urban abandonment have left more than 250,000 vacant, privately and publicly owned lots sitting completely idle.—
Stephanie Tharpe,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
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Colbert doesn’t plan to be idle for long.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 May 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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