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
-
Martian volcanoes appear to be dormant right now, but that former activity left behind the largest tunnel network in the solar system.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
25 May 2026
-
For me, such encounters outside the habitual order often give rise to dormant stories.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Likewise, rake and dispose of fallen leaves from infected trees and shrubs.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 May 2026
-
Beth pulled out a spiked back and Cope raked Dax’s face with it.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
On Wednesday afternoon, the Indiana Fever superstar took advantage of an off day to catch some MLB action at Oracle Park.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 May 2026
-
The beauty mogul utilizes every weapon in her arsenal to ensure her off-duty looks make the highest impact possible.—
Kelsey Stiegman,
InStyle,
28 May 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
-
Indeed, former manager Roy Hodgson, who took interim charge at Bristol City towards the end of the season, recommended him for the vacant manager’s job at Ashton Gate.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
The vice president position has been vacant since Simeon Rosas departed in October.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The listing agent for Schottenheimer’s soon-to-be former home said proximity to work ultimately drove the NFL coach’s decision to move.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
-
Violet, the prettiest girl in school, dies in the first chapter (no spoilers—she is listed as dead in the dramatis personae).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
Colbert doesn’t plan to be idle for long.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
-
After months of mounting hype and idle space, the 2026 NFL schedule has finally been unveiled in full.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Fallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallow. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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