Thesaurus

inert

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of inert

1 not being in a state of use, activity, or employment

the inert, abandoned factories that are scattered all over that dying city

Synonyms of inert

dead, dormant, fallow, free, idle, inactive, inoperative, latent, off, unused, vacant

Words Related to inert

abeyant, arrested, interrupted, suspended

asleep, comatose, lifeless, moribund, quiescent, sleepy

inoperable, unusable, unworkable, useless

Phrases Synonymous with inert

at rest, on the shelf, out of commission

Near Antonyms of inert

functional, operable, operational, workable

assiduous, industrious, sedulous

energetic, vigorous

feasible, practical, usable (also useable), useful, viable

Antonyms of inert

active, alive, busy, employed, functioning, going, living, on, operating, operative, running, working

2 slow to move or act

a sleepy, inert reptile that is no threat to people when left alone

Synonyms of inert

dull, inactive, lethargic, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish, torpid

Words Related to inert

ambitionless, apathetic, indolent, languorous, lazy, lazyish, listless, shiftless, slack, slothful, sluggard, sluggardly

dormant, inanimate, motionless, resting, sedentary, static, still

dopey (also dopy), drugged

asleep, drowsy, somnambulant

catatonic, comatose

Near Antonyms of inert

busy, engaged, occupied, working

animated, bouncing, dynamic, energetic, kinetic, lively, peppy, perky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vigorous, vital, vivacious, zippy

assiduous, diligent, hardworking, industrious, sedulous

Antonyms of inert

Synonym Discussion of inert

inactive, idle, inert, passive, supine mean not engaged in work or activity. inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work.

- on inactive status as an astronaut
- inactive accounts

idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements.

- workers were idle in the fields

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

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

supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence.

- a supine willingness to play the fool

Learn More about inert

See words that rhyme with inert Dictionary: Definition of inert Medical Dictionary: Definition of inert Spanish Central: Translation of inert Nglish: Translation of inert for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inert for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up inert? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

insuperable

incapable of being surmounted or overcome