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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
  • After you are done raking leaves there is plenty to do with the family around town.
    — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 23 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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
  • In the general election, Krell won over two-thirds of the vote, beating out Republican challenger Nikki Ellis to fill Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty’s vacant seat.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Griffin’s sister is now refusing to build a home on the family lot that remains vacant, given its backyard would literally be a hop, skip and jump from the data center, Griffin said.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of vacant
Verb
  • For not-so-direct reference, a 3,000-sq-ft apartment in the Dubai tower goes for about $8 million, while a 13,000-sq-ft penthouse is listed at $42 million.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Earlier this week, Rolling Stone listed Laboriel among its top picks for possible replacements, noting his ferocious skills, friendship with Vedder, and his guest feature on the frontman’s 2022 solo LP, Earthling.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of list
Adjective
  • In comparison, when a bacterium lives somewhere where resources are abundant, its sporulation genes sit idle and unactivated.
    — Canan Karakoç, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Field agents endure inefficient routing and prolonged idle times between assignments, and passengers experience frustrating delays at gates or baggage claims.
    — Justin Newell, Forbes.com, 28 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
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Cite this Entry

“Fallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallow. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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