as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
the coal mine has been lying fallow since the drop in prices made it unprofitable
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Recent Examples of fallow
Bhanuj Kappal, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2025
But the ’70s were fallow; observers at the time declared painting was dead.
—Carrie Battan, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2023
Congress recently allocated $4 billion in drought funding that can be used to pay farmers to fallow their land and not use their water.
—Ben Tracy, Andy Bast, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for fallow
Adjective
The rhythm of nature is an extraordinary teacher; there is a time to be fallow and there is a time to be ripe.
—Bhanuj Kappal, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2025
But the ’70s were fallow; observers at the time declared painting was dead.
—Carrie Battan, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Compromising probably would require money — perhaps tax money — to pay farmers to fallow their land and governments to build new canals and repair old ones.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2023
Congress recently allocated $4 billion in drought funding that can be used to pay farmers to fallow their land and not use their water.
—Ben Tracy, Andy Bast, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for fallow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallow
Adjective
-
The Americans ignited a rivalry with Canada that had long been dormant aside from competitive play on the ice.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Nigerian energy companies have ramped up oil production over the past year as the government intensifies its efforts to restart dormant refineries and monetize untapped gas reserves.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Just ask DePaul-area resident Janice Hughes, who claims she was rear-ended by a Coco robot while raking the parkway in front of her home.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Alongside the bodies of martyrs from Iran’s past wars, the dusty earth of Behesht-e Zahra cemetery now cradles the remains of protesters killed in January’s protests, the latest conflict to rake Iran’s streets.—
Frederik Pleitgen,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Though no date has been set, the Dodgers will play three games in Washington from April 3 to 5, with an off day April 2 following a six-game homestand to open the season.—
Ed Guzman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Both companies are known for their off-Loop musicals and are longtime favorites of the all-volunteer Joseph Jefferson Awards committee.—
Doug George,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Weeds are easy to hand-pull or hoe out when they're freshly sprouted, and their leaves and roots are still young and tender.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2026
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That’s a tough row to hoe in this new era of data center bidding wars.—
Phoebe Liu,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
City officials hope to reverse that trend by revitalizing the downtown area, from attracting businesses to vacant storefronts to developing unused city sites, such as the corner lot burdened with the remains of Hotel Marysville, which was destroyed by fire in 2024.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
As the luxury building sat vacant, taggers armed with spray paint flocked there, hoping to leave a colorful mark on the city skyline.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Around 30 Emirati companies were listed as participants, but none showed up; the exhibition space allocated to EDGE Group — one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest arms makers — was turned into a coffee shop.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Rectal cancer was listed as the underlying cause of death.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Utah was idle on Saturday after falling to the Magic in Orlando on Saturday.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Most large fortunes are not sitting in piles of idle cash.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Before the big race, the track was harrowed, bringing it to a better and drier racing surface.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
-
The research fellow who met me, Birte, was in her forties, and appeared as if she had been harrowed by her work.—
John Ganz,
Harper's Magazine,
22 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Fallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallow. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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