1
as in inertia
lack of action or activity
the inactivity outside the school led me to think that it must have been vacation week
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Recent Examples of inactivity
Warming temperatures from climate change will likely lead to high levels of physical inactivity in the future, which could have significant public health implications.
—
Devika Rao, TheWeek, 23 Mar. 2026
Chloé Farand summed it up for the Guardian, noting the researchers’ projection of 500,000 additional annual deaths due to inactivity by 2050.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Physical inactivity rises alongside temperature.
—Fenit Nirappil, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2026
Currently, only about 65% of people worldwide get enough exercise, but inactivity already contributes to roughly 5% of global deaths, according to the WHO.
—Victoria Kusztos, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
High blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity and smoking have long been lifestyle factors associated with higher dementia risk.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
By analyzing data on life expectancy, chronic conditions, disability, mental distress, and physical inactivity among adults 65 and older, home medical bed company Opera Beds identified where seniors have the best quality of life.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
With Tottenham just one point above safety, their reasons for inactivity in the January window are inadequate.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
After weeks of inactivity on the fainting front, Whoopi Goldberg has officially collapsed on The View once again.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
Devika Rao, TheWeek, 23 Mar. 2026
Chloé Farand summed it up for the Guardian, noting the researchers’ projection of 500,000 additional annual deaths due to inactivity by 2050.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Physical inactivity rises alongside temperature.
—Fenit Nirappil, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2026
Currently, only about 65% of people worldwide get enough exercise, but inactivity already contributes to roughly 5% of global deaths, according to the WHO.
—Victoria Kusztos, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
High blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity and smoking have long been lifestyle factors associated with higher dementia risk.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
By analyzing data on life expectancy, chronic conditions, disability, mental distress, and physical inactivity among adults 65 and older, home medical bed company Opera Beds identified where seniors have the best quality of life.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
With Tottenham just one point above safety, their reasons for inactivity in the January window are inadequate.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
After weeks of inactivity on the fainting front, Whoopi Goldberg has officially collapsed on The View once again.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inactivity
Noun
-
Larger tires increase rotational inertia and lengthen the lever arm between hub and road, forcing the braking system to work harder.—
Bryan Rogala,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The only thing that could work against it at this point is inertia—and enthusiasm for Sinners, a smash hit that picked up the most Oscar nominations this year and seems to engender a similar amount of love in the room at every industry event.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Serious Medical and Emotional Neglect Turner said Kaiko arrived in poor health, suffering from multiple medical issues and signs of prolonged neglect.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The law also explicitly states that allowing a reasonably capable child to walk to school or travel to a nearby park unsupervised does not, by itself, constitute neglect.—
Stephen Johnson,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the Fed’s inaction could be good news for savers, Schulz said.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Resignation or inaction are not acceptable responses.—
J. Xavier Prochaska,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Heart muscles atrophy, or weaken from disuse, in adults who spend prolonged times in the weightlessness of space.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
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And does a particular level of disuse have to be reached for a word to be dropped into the lexical dustbin?—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Spending healthy years in idleness isn’t good for you.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
-
DeJean, who recorded the game-changing pick-six in Super Bowl LIX, couldn’t comprehend postseason idleness.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Perez is now being charged with animal cruelty and animal abandonment.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
In lieu of confronting her mother about the reason for her abandonment, Taparjan works with actors.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inactivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inactivity. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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