as in recession
a lack of activity or development and especially economic development
After years of economic stagnation, employment numbers began to rise.
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Recent Examples of stagnation
Coach Ime Udoka’s team improved in each of his first two seasons before some level of stagnation in his third year leading the team.
—
Varun Shankar, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
They are prepped to run the ball more frequently, or at least run it more effectively, in hopes that this solves the stagnation — rather than personnel shouldering the load.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
The result is a growing sense of stagnation across the workforce.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Frequent cleaning and water changes prevent the stagnation while also encouraging birds to use the baths.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagnation
Varun Shankar, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
They are prepped to run the ball more frequently, or at least run it more effectively, in hopes that this solves the stagnation — rather than personnel shouldering the load.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
The result is a growing sense of stagnation across the workforce.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Frequent cleaning and water changes prevent the stagnation while also encouraging birds to use the baths.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagnation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagnation
Noun
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What the critics say But the economy’s roaring comeback from the pandemic recession didn’t come without a hitch.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
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In this context, a recession would be a disaster, Slok says.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Noun
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And a chronic shortage of homes for sale nationally, due partly to years of below-average new home construction, has helped prop up home prices even in a multiyear sales slump.—
Alex Veiga,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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The hard-right Reform UK party was the main beneficiary of Labour’s slump.—
Isa Soares,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Noun
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Data from one primary care clinic in Los Angeles, shared exclusively with NPR, shows a sharp rise in anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among patients.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
17 May 2026
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Chronic circadian misalignment is associated with a 30-40% higher risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, depression and anxiety.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stagnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagnation. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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