as in laziness
an inclination not to do work or engage in activities
the inertia that grips so many of the club's members is the reason why nothing ever gets done
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Recent Examples of inertia
In space, only inertia causes objects to move.
—
Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
This second season is once again poking at inertia and stasis and how romantic relationships can crumble into a series of self-destructive choices.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Manson can’t quite make up her mind about the value proposition of institutional inertia.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
And while Italy is often derided for its dysfunctional government and bureaucratic inertia, the cultural and economic split between the north and south remains stark, with the province of Lombardy alone (of which Milan is the capital) contributing roughly a fifth of the country’s GDP.
—Laura May Todd, Architectural Digest, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inertia
Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
This second season is once again poking at inertia and stasis and how romantic relationships can crumble into a series of self-destructive choices.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Manson can’t quite make up her mind about the value proposition of institutional inertia.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
And while Italy is often derided for its dysfunctional government and bureaucratic inertia, the cultural and economic split between the north and south remains stark, with the province of Lombardy alone (of which Milan is the capital) contributing roughly a fifth of the country’s GDP.
—Laura May Todd, Architectural Digest, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inertia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inertia
Noun
-
Score another point for laziness.—
Nathan Edwards,
The Verge,
26 Apr. 2026
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The issue isn’t laziness or indifference.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Spending healthy years in idleness isn’t good for you.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Inertia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inertia. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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