as in inanimate
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Recent Examples of nonliving
Phosphine, the argument goes, is not generally expected to be produced, or to survive for very long, in the abiotic (nonliving) chemistry anticipated for this part of Venus’s environment.
—
Caleb A. Scharf, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2020
Searching for water vapor rather than just heat, van Breugel and his coauthors point out, could keep the insects from wasting their time on warm but nonliving objects such as dark rocks.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 21 Aug. 2015
Caleb A. Scharf, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2020
Searching for water vapor rather than just heat, van Breugel and his coauthors point out, could keep the insects from wasting their time on warm but nonliving objects such as dark rocks.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 21 Aug. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonliving
inanimate
Adjective
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Disinfect Surfaces Cold-causing viruses can survive on inanimate surface areas for hours.—
Christopher Bergland,
Verywell Health,
15 Jan. 2026
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Songbirds bond for seasons, octopuses defend their mates, and children shower their affection on inanimate plushies.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonliving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonliving. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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