1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity
some volcanoes have eruptive cycles marked by long stretches of dormancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of dormancy
In late spring, when the trees have donned their leafy canopies, the ephemerals return to dormancy instead of struggling to grow in deep shade.
—
Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
But by the early 2000s, Echinus slowly dwindled into dormancy.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
Unclaimed funds fall into a dormancy period, usually consisting of up to five years in some states.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
Consistent cold temperatures in winter will keep most plants in dormancy, but when temperatures are mild and fluctuate, tender plant parts can become damaged.
—Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
But by the early 2000s, Echinus slowly dwindled into dormancy.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
Unclaimed funds fall into a dormancy period, usually consisting of up to five years in some states.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
Consistent cold temperatures in winter will keep most plants in dormancy, but when temperatures are mild and fluctuate, tender plant parts can become damaged.
—Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
Noun
-
Shaban dismissed the New York suspension as a relatively minor, administrative oversight.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
-
One charge is his second DWI offense, a Class A misdemeanor in Texas that can carry jail time, fines and a driver’s license suspension of between six months and two years.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The film meticulously depicts inertia and zero-gravity movement.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
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Larger tires increase rotational inertia and lengthen the lever arm between hub and road, forcing the braking system to work harder.—
Bryan Rogala,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But what else is there to be said about a game devoid of suspense and that did nothing to abate fears that the Padres’ starting pitching will be its Achilles.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Despite the issues with the production, namely the too-tame suspense at times, this is a sharp cast of veterans.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Warming temperatures from climate change will likely lead to high levels of physical inactivity in the future, which could have significant public health implications.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
23 Mar. 2026
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Chloé Farand summed it up for the Guardian, noting the researchers’ projection of 500,000 additional annual deaths due to inactivity by 2050.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
We cannot be cowed into quiescence.—
Brian Kolp,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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This is a region of gravitational quiescence about a million miles from Earth, where ESCAPADE will linger for a year awaiting a more favorable alignment between Earth and Mars.—
Morgan McFall-Johnsen,
Scientific American,
13 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Based on their inaction at quarterback so far, the Browns seem content to roll into 2026 with Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel or Deshaun Watson.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The new security gates to curb fare evasion and improve safety (more than 80% of the crime at BART used to come from fare jumpers) were delayed for years due to budget inaction.—
Steve Glazer,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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