1
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
the inert, abandoned factories that are scattered all over that dying city
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
a sleepy, inert reptile that is no threat to people when left alone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in inertia
lack of action or activity
the noticeable inertness of the campus on weekends, when most of the students go home
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
Noun
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More modern power resources, like wind, solar, and batteries, don't involve inertia, because they are digitally controlled.—
Julia Simon,
NPR,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The inertia continues despite economic and regulatory headwinds across the world that threaten to impact sales and product strategies.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 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
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The text is excitable and wayward, while many of the photographs are dramatically dull.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Durbin, who is set to retire in two years, said the impact of inaction will soon be felt in his home state.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
9 Oct. 2025
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Outsourcing the job to non-state actors allows aggressors to avoid activating the terms that trigger action in security alliances, making the reputational damage of inaction by the security guarantor much lower.—
Omar Al-Ubaydli,
semafor.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Once considered safe bets for steady rent, many now sit vacant.—
Amachie Ackah,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
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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
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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
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For example, the inactive ingredient might be made in South Korea.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inert. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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