infertile

adjective

(ˈ)in-ˈfər-tᵊl How to pronounce infertile (audio)
Definition of infertilenext
1
as in sterile
not able to produce fruit or offspring an infertile cow is of limited use to a farmer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in barren
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation only parched, infertile fields remained after months of drought

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 infertile Before Lydia can go full Karen, revolutionaries raid the school and cart off the women to a stadium, where the unmarried and infertile are held prisoner in the bleachers. — Judy Berman, Time, 29 Apr. 2026 Quinoa grows even in lean, infertile soil and usually doesn't need additional fertilizer in most areas. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2026 The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has stated that ovarian reserve markers shouldn’t be used as a fertility test for women who aren’t infertile or whose fertility hasn’t been evaluated. — Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026 The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has stated that ovarian reserve markers shouldn’t serve as a fertility test for women who aren’t infertile or whose fertility hasn’t been evaluated. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infertile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infertile
  1. sterile
  2. barren
  3. desolate
  4. impoverished
  5. poor
  6. unfertile
Adjective
  • Ted Lasso, forever more interested in preserving an atmosphere of sterile niceness than grappling with complex humanity, isn’t it.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
  • West designs and manufactures elastomer stoppers and seals that keep vials sterile, prefillable syringe systems and self-injection cartridges, and wearable patch injectors for continuous drug delivery.
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of sterile
Adjective
  • John Mozeliak just had the best day by an Angels front-office member in about a decade, replenishing a barren farm system with nine prospects after a handful of trades.
    — Levi Weaver, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Sprawling acres of largely barren farmland, still owned by the sugarcane plantations that dominated the islands’ economy for a century, line the side of the highway here, gently sloping toward the craggy green cliffs of the Waimea Canyon.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of barren
Adjective
  • In July 1991, Gerard Dorsey was gunned down in an alley off North Brice Street in a desolate West Baltimore alley.
    — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The Gwi Realm is a desolate, crimson wasteland littered with malevolent presence, so naturally there have been comparisons to that other little Netflix show called Stranger Things.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of desolate
Adjective
  • But for those who don’t see the unhoused, impoverished or vulnerable as human, deserving of rights or even life, Heimbach has some advice.
    — Trevor Morgan, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
  • Lama finished high school thanks to a government scholarship for impoverished students.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of impoverished
Adjective
  • Covid-19 wasn’t immediately recognized as a disease with airborne transmission with the potential to spread beyond the 6-foot social distancing measure, especially in places with poor ventilation or around activities with heavy breathing.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Crepe myrtles may not bloom due to poor pruning, low light, watering issues, weak soil, or pests.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • Movies based on videogames, once unfertile IP for Hollywood at the box office, have blossomed in recent years.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 9 June 2025
Definition of unfertile

Browse Nearby Words

infers
infertile
infertility
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Cite this Entry

“Infertile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infertile. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of infertile for Spanish Speakers

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