Synonym Chooser

How is the word latent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of latent are dormant, potential, and quiescent. While all these words mean "not now showing signs of activity or existence," latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop.

a latent desire for success

Where would dormant be a reasonable alternative to latent?

While the synonyms dormant and latent are close in meaning, dormant suggests the inactivity of something (such as a feeling or power) as though sleeping.

their passion had lain dormant

When can potential be used instead of latent?

While in some cases nearly identical to latent, potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have.

a potential disaster

When would quiescent be a good substitute for latent?

In some situations, the words quiescent and latent are roughly equivalent. However, quiescent suggests a usually temporary cessation of activity.

the disease was quiescent

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 latent Perhaps those latent rivulets reside in machines. Thomas Moynihan, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025 Some people have active tuberculosis while others have inactive or latent TB. Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2025 Some media reports of AI psychosis note that individuals had no prior mental health diagnoses, but clinicians caution that undetected or latent risk factors may still have been present. Robert Hart, Time, 5 Aug. 2025 Previous research investigated metals that could repair themselves after heat was applied to activate latent healing components. IEEE Spectrum, 31 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for latent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for latent
Adjective
  • The antibiotic became effective when dormant cells were given sugar (a food source), but only after a 15-minute delay.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
  • There are also showings on 70mm, Imax 70mm and even four venues projecting in the long-dormant format VistaVision, which Anderson shot the film on.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The first signs that 2025 wouldn’t live up to Ferrari’s off-season hopes emerged in testing, when McLaren teased its advantage.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Perhaps not, and that was attributable to some of his off-field pursuits, as sports journalist Devin Gordon explains in one episode.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Latent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/latent. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on latent

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