1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vacant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
the engine lay dormant in the garage until we found a use for it
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 dormant
Cluster bombs are banned by more than 100 countries because of their devastating impact, spreading multiple submunitions or bomblets over an area as large as a city block, and that can kill, maim, and also lie dormant until triggered.
—
Laura Kelly, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025
This volcano was reportedly dormant for 800 years before awakening in 2023.
—Michael Capetta, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2025
Factors such as dormant grass, wind velocity and direction, and precipitation are evaluated when determining when the burns will be conducted, the release said.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Westlake Hospital sits dormant along Lake Avenue in Melrose Park.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Laura Kelly, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025
This volcano was reportedly dormant for 800 years before awakening in 2023.
—Michael Capetta, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2025
Factors such as dormant grass, wind velocity and direction, and precipitation are evaluated when determining when the burns will be conducted, the release said.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Westlake Hospital sits dormant along Lake Avenue in Melrose Park.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
-
In her next fight, Shevchenko faced ex-women’s strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant flyweight title.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
And several blocks of tunnel below Chinatown, dug half a century ago for the Second Avenue subway, remain a vacant, unseen taunt.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
At least two of the victims were asleep at the start of the attack, according to authorities.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Hall was asleep inside the home when the tree fell and killed him, according to a GoFundMe page.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Traders borrow to short tokens or increase leverage, long-term holders unlock liquidity without selling, businesses take loans to fund operations, and lenders earn passive yield on idle assets.—
Nina Bambysheva,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Telogen Stage The telogen stage of the hair cycle is a resting phase, during which the hair doesn't grow, and the follicle is dormant.1 About 10% to 15% of the hairs on your body are in this resting phase at any one time, which typically lasts for a few months.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
13 Jan. 2025
-
Green Bay could finish as high as sixth in the NFC if the resting Rams lose to the 49ers, potentially setting up a first-round matchup against the division-rival Lions.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2024
Adjective
-
Any unused bonus will expire after seven days. 21+ and present in participating states.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Notably, lawmakers also agreed at the last minute to spend $14 million in federal child care funds that had been allocated to Idaho but remained unused.—
Rachel Cohen,
Vox,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Last-minute fixes were still being made, and some Cubs players trickled into the clubhouse to put stuff in their lockers or work out on their off day.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Stewart’s on-field production left a lot to be desired last year, but his motor doesn’t have an off switch.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
That being said, the dream of NXT Europe isn't dead.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Boston played its previous 19 games with at least one starter or rotation player inactive.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Simple steps—such as checking balances, using debit cards, or logging into digital banking—can prevent accounts from becoming inactive.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share