sedentary

adjective

Definition of sedentarynext
as in lazy
not doing or involving a lot of physical activity They led a sedentary life after retirement, spending their days in front of the television.

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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 sedentary For example, someone who’s very active, such as a person who runs long distances regularly, may require more carbs than someone who’s sedentary. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 12 Aug. 2026 The results suggest that the context of sedentary behavior may matter as much as the amount of time spent sitting, Feter explained. — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 9 Aug. 2026 One of the most surprising findings was that sedentary activity in another context — at work — wasn’t linked to the same brain changes. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 Eating less protein, not cutting calories, may be an easier path to a longer, healthier life for sedentary adults, according to a new scientific review. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sedentary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedentary
  1. lazy
  2. dormant
  3. sleepy
  4. static
  5. dull
  6. resting
  7. immobile
  8. inactive
Adjective
  • That is not saying that her kids are terrible, lazy, ugly, addicted to TikTok, or caught shoplifting at Brandy Melville.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Music takes on a different purpose by mid-August—who isn’t feeling a little lazy and crooked by now, spiritually overserved and ready for a nap?
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of lazy
Adjective
  • Former SpaceX engineers think a long-dormant nuclear reactor experiment is key to meeting the power needs of data centers.
    — Evan Halper, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Hawaii, meanwhile, rightfully earns its place thanks to its dramatic terrain, with 25 active and dormant volcanoes—the most of any state in the study—as well as 543 waterfalls and Mauna Kea, one of the tallest mountain summits in the country.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of dormant
Adjective
  • During an allegedly sleepy period on the NBA schedule, the Lakers shook everyone awake with a blaring alarm.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Terrell, who is gay and doubles as a night-club promoter, brings in scores of drinkers to their perpetually sleepy pub, transforming it into Philadelphia’s trendiest gay bar.
    — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of sleepy
Adjective
  • With the completion of Ship 41's first static fires, SpaceX could be on track to launch Flight 14 sometime in early to mid-September.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Both sides have stepped up their air campaigns as the front lines remain largely static, locked in a slow-moving, deadly stalemate.
    — Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of static
Adjective
  • Nothing can ruin your day quite like the dull ache of underwire hoisting up your bust.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Underripe corn is rather dull and hard, similar to ears of corn that have been on the plant for too long.
    — Danielle Ernest, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • That’s because when the body experiences physical stress, including losing weight quickly, more hairs can shift into a resting phase and fall out a few months later — typically two to three months after the event, Rossi explains.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 17 Feb. 2026
  • This is a condition where, due to stress or hormonal changes, the body puts the hair follicles into a resting phase.
    — Essence, Essence, 19 Dec. 2025
Definition of resting
Adjective
  • Gripping your abs at maximum effort regardless of the task can make your torso feel like an immobile block.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Sure, Lucky’s escape is nearly foiled by the fleet-of-foot federal agent, but the same could be said for dozens of similar encounters throughout the premiere, at more perilous junctures than a brief jog between immobile trailers.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
Definition of immobile
Adjective
  • Rather, the department says testing is recommended because inactive, or latent, TB often causes no symptoms.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Bazelak got the start when backup Jake Browning was inactive after suffering a back strain in practice against the Jets on Wednesday.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of inactive

Browse Nearby Words

sedatives
sedentary
sediment
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Cite this Entry

“Sedentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedentary. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sedentary

Nglish: Translation of sedentary for Spanish Speakers

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