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
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
Steven Zeitch, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
The two-day multi-genre affair will take place at Adelaide’s Rymill & King Rodney Parks across the weekend of Oct. 25-26, having returned following a fallow year in 2024.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fallow
Adjective
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
Verb
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
The two-day multi-genre affair will take place at Adelaide’s Rymill & King Rodney Parks across the weekend of Oct. 25-26, having returned following a fallow year in 2024.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fallow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallow
Adjective
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To help your plants establish, make sure to get potted raspberries in the ground at least 4 to 6 weeks before frost is expected, or choose bare root canes, which are dormant and can be planted even later in the season, as long as the ground isn't frozen.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
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Someone’s words could catch you off guard, or perhaps awaken a part of you that’s been dormant.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What if your fall clean-up could involve less raking and more pumpkin spice lattes?—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
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In Milwaukee, there actually isn't any legislation that requires a resident to rake leaves that end up on their property from neighbors, the city Department of Public Works confirmed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in an email.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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On the right side of the room, a steel cut image is projected from the wall with fiberglass rods arranged in an off center trapezoid.—
Mario Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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And then the third Wednesday is an off week.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 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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Greenwood Republican Stacie Smith is seeking election to the vacant Senate District 26 seat formerly held by the late Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, Smith announced on Thursday.—
Ella McCarthy,
Arkansas Online,
31 Oct. 2025
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City Council members approved last month cutting five employees, eliminating 15 vacant positions and other maneuvers to close a $3 million budget deficit.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Airlines list all flight departure and arrival times in the local time of the respective airports.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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Murray has been listed as questionable alongside cornerback Will Johnson (groin), safety Kitan Crawford (ankle), defensive tackle Walter Nolen (calf) and cornerback Garrett Williams (knee).—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The extra federal subsidies put in place in 2021 that made coverage more affordable for millions of people will expire at the end of this year unless a gridlocked and idle Congress acts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Oct. 2025
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The production of that vehicle could be idle for several weeks, a union leader familiar with the situation told the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 2025.
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