STAGNATION Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

stagnation

noun

Definition of stagnation

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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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 stagnation His daily grind — and conventional wardrobe — express his midlife rut and marital stagnation. — Fawnia Soo Hoo, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 Summary Noble Audio introduces its FoKus Artemis wireless headphones, aiming to overcome market stagnation with bold innovation. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 The stagnation of Medicaid reimbursement rates, a pain point at all hospitals may be a factor impacting staffing and boarding rates, according to lawmakers. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026 Creator Zoe Lister-Jones stars as Mae, an urbanite at a marital impasse, looking ahead to a future that promises only domestic stagnation. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stagnation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagnation

Noun

While the engine sputters out in other sectors, construction and manufacturing is roaring now because of data centers; otherwise, the industry would be in recession, a Chicago manager said in the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book this week.

— Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026
Several years into a deep recession, the near-collapse of the country’s entire infrastructure has upended Cubans’ daily lives, directly affecting their physical and mental health.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of recession

Noun

The slump has sapped the power that has defined his offensive game, with no extra-base hits and just one RBI during that span.

— Jesús Cano, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The Orioles scored only one run over their previous three games against Boston, but Joey Cantillo (9-9) did plenty to help them out of their slump, allowing 3 hits and 5 walks and hitting 2 batters in 2 1/3 innings.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of slump

Noun

Overall, Carr says groups treated with itPBM showed fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD, and showed more efficient processing, faster response speed, improved sustained attention and enhanced executive function.

— Mirin Fader, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The left brain, by contrast, commands language processing, and following a stroke to the left brain, a person can develop not only a communication disorder but often post-stroke depression as well.

— Michael P.H. Stanley, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of depression

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stagnating

stagnation

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“Stagnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagnation. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stagnation

noun

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