1
as in sterile
not able to produce fruit or offspring
an infertile cow is of limited use to a farmer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Datini’s bride, Margherita, proved to be infertile; with no one to inherit his business empire, and increasingly concerned about the fate of his immortal soul, Datini left much of his estate to causes benefitting the poor.
—
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine estimates that fewer than a quarter of infertile couples have access to treatment.
—Madison Chapman, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Queen wasps can live up to a year, while worker wasps, infertile females that build and defend the nest, live two to three weeks.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
In 2023, while at Weill Cornell Medicine, Balbach helped drive the discovery that blocking another crucial sperm enzyme made mice temporarily infertile, initially raising the potential for a non-hormonal male birth control.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infertile
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine estimates that fewer than a quarter of infertile couples have access to treatment.
—Madison Chapman, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Queen wasps can live up to a year, while worker wasps, infertile females that build and defend the nest, live two to three weeks.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
In 2023, while at Weill Cornell Medicine, Balbach helped drive the discovery that blocking another crucial sperm enzyme made mice temporarily infertile, initially raising the potential for a non-hormonal male birth control.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infertile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infertile
Adjective
-
According to this logic, a tetraploid crossed with a diploid watermelon would yield a triploid plant that would be sterile, and this is how seedless watermelons came to be.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
-
For the healthcare industry, the shortage of polypropylene and PVC limits the availability of syringes, IV bags and sterile packaging.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
The barren landscape, despite its harsh conditions (daytime temperatures often exceed 125 degrees Fahrenheit), was—and still is—famous for its connection to many legends of treasure.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
-
This seemingly barren landscape is home to a diverse array of hardy wildflowers and desert animals.—
Hali Smith
May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
On desolate rural strips or town squares, Mary is always the same.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
-
Considered ancient leftovers from the formation of our solar system, these desolate bodies don't meet the criteria to be considered planets.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Suu Kyi, 80, has been detained by the junta since and her whereabouts have been unclear amid a deadly civil war that was triggered by the February 2021 coup that has engulfed much of the impoverished Southeast Asian nation.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
Democrats have attacked these anti-fraud policies as an effort to undermine safety net programs for the impoverished.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Injuries to key players on the Amazin’s contributed to some poor numbers as well.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Although poor students are disproportionately likely to receive special education in New York City, well-off disabled kids are the ones most acutely driving up the budget.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Infertile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infertile. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
