Synonym Chooser

How is the word inert different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of inert are idle, inactive, passive, and supine. While all these words mean "not engaged in work or activity," inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity.

inert ingredients in drugs
an inert citizenry

When would idle be a good substitute for inert?

The words idle and inert can be used in similar contexts, but idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements.

workers were idle in the fields

In what contexts can inactive take the place of inert?

While in some cases nearly identical to inert, inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work.

on inactive status as an astronaut
inactive accounts

When can passive be used instead of inert?

The words passive and inert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control.

passive resistance

When could supine be used to replace inert?

While the synonyms supine and inert are close in meaning, supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence.

a supine willingness to play the fool

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 inert The statue, unfortunately, is inert. Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025 Charalambous says these collisions likely took place during the first 100 million years of Mars’ existence, and are a testament to how inert the planet is today. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025 The study also highlights that lipid droplets – once thought to be inert fat stores – are in fact active organelles that manage how fat is stored and used in cells. New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025 Yet there’s something strangely inert about Jay Kelly. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inert
Adjective
  • The Broncos went dormant offensively.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Fertilizing Flowers Because most plants go dormant in winter, fertilizing is not useful right now.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And while your mind may immediately go to the always sunny beaches in Florida or the upscale vibe of Hilton Head Island, the often overlooked sleepier towns are well worth a visit.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
  • For the president of La Liga, who has turned Spain’s once-sleepy domestic league into a global media brand, exporting Spanish football to the United States has always been the logical next step.
    Asli Pelit, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Two weeks after an upset loss to visiting Cal Poly and a week after having a off-night bye to think about a season that could go either way, Sacramento State delivered a resounding 55-27 victory over Weber State on Saturday night in chilly Ogden, Utah.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Prettygarden 2-piece Jogger Set This two-piece set is an instant upgrade to your off-duty style.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Reeves delivers on all phases of his character arc, making a potentially dull and earnest character soar.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The text is excitable and wayward, while many of the photographs are dramatically dull.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Once considered safe bets for steady rent, many now sit vacant.
    Amachie Ackah, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Currently vacant, the building sits on a 1-acre parcel and includes a loading dock, freight elevator, multiple bathrooms and a main office with lobby.
    Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Third-round draft pick Nick Martin, inactive again Sunday, might get a look going forward.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • For example, the inactive ingredient might be made in South Korea.
    Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • According to Canada Post, the previous disruptions will force the carrier to take time to clear the mail and parcels that had been sitting idle within its network.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
  • And after Bill Belichick and North Carolina dominated the news during their idle week, there’s plenty of intriguing on-field action to watch on Saturday.
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Throughout most of modern history, it was thought that prudent government debt management involved bringing down the ratio of debt to GDP during quiescent periods of growth in order to store fiscal ammunition for the next crisis.
    Kenneth S. Rogoff, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Khanna is one of a number of progressive congressional Democrats encouraged by the party to appear in red-district town halls in an attempt to rebut impressions that the party is quiescent in the face of Trump’s onslaught.
    Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inert. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inert

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