1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity
some volcanoes have eruptive cycles marked by long stretches of dormancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inertia
lack of action or activity
a fighting force that could be roused instantly from dormancy to action
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 dormancy
Once the plant has bloomed, the foliage fades and the bulb begins a natural period of dormancy to store energy for the next growing season.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2025
The new appearance is turf’s healthy response to frigid temperatures and limited daylight as the grass plants move into dormancy to preserve their root system.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025
April is prime time to see apple blossoms burst from their winter dormancy.
—Erica Zazo, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2025
This is likely due to HSV’s dormancy and its ability to evade the immune system, more advanced than other herpesvirus infection, such as chickenpox and shingles, against which vaccines exist.
—Dr. Tal Patalon, Md, Llb, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2025
The new appearance is turf’s healthy response to frigid temperatures and limited daylight as the grass plants move into dormancy to preserve their root system.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025
April is prime time to see apple blossoms burst from their winter dormancy.
—Erica Zazo, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2025
This is likely due to HSV’s dormancy and its ability to evade the immune system, more advanced than other herpesvirus infection, such as chickenpox and shingles, against which vaccines exist.
—Dr. Tal Patalon, Md, Llb, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
Noun
-
The suspension, to Maserati’s credit, can be adjusted— through three firmness settings—independently of other performance parameters.—
Lawrence Ulrich,
Robb Report,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The suspension is intended to last as long as negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war play out, officials told the Washington Post. 3.—
Dave Lawler,
Axios,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
For the past year, the Brooklyn Center for Theater Research—a theatrical collective with downtown cool—has been immersed in an evolving production of Uncle Vanya, Anton Chekhov’s timeless study of regret, inertia and longing.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
In her daily life, nothing that was felt could be acted upon; what could be acted upon followed routines of inertia or necessity.—
Anelise Chen,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
There are moments when the performers overplay the humor, suspense and moral outrage.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Check out the trailer above and see series details below. PREVIOUS, Jan. 28: Peacock has slotted Thursday, March 13 for the premiere of Long Bright River, its upcoming suspense thriller series based on Liz Moore’s bestseller, starring and executive produced by Amanda Seyfried.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But a depopulated landscape might actually be characterized by quiescence.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
-
After over a decade of relative quiescence, the global AI market is expected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2030, according to Grand View Research, fueled by advancements in natural language processing, generative AI, and machine learning (ML).—
Douglas B. Laney,
Forbes,
17 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The unknown will always feel risky, but the bigger risk is inaction.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
The prolonged inaction and uncertainty surrounding this situation have significant implications for the broader UC San Diego community.—
Ellia M Torkian,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share