1
as in sterile
not able to produce fruit or offspring
an infertile cow is of limited use to a farmer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in barren
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
only parched, infertile fields remained after months of drought
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 infertile
Before Lydia can go full Karen, revolutionaries raid the school and cart off the women to a stadium, where the unmarried and infertile are held prisoner in the bleachers.
—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Apr. 2026
Quinoa grows even in lean, infertile soil and usually doesn't need additional fertilizer in most areas.
—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Apr. 2026
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has stated that ovarian reserve markers shouldn’t be used as a fertility test for women who aren’t infertile or whose fertility hasn’t been evaluated.
—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has stated that ovarian reserve markers shouldn’t serve as a fertility test for women who aren’t infertile or whose fertility hasn’t been evaluated.
—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infertile
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Apr. 2026
Quinoa grows even in lean, infertile soil and usually doesn't need additional fertilizer in most areas.
—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Apr. 2026
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has stated that ovarian reserve markers shouldn’t be used as a fertility test for women who aren’t infertile or whose fertility hasn’t been evaluated.
—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has stated that ovarian reserve markers shouldn’t serve as a fertility test for women who aren’t infertile or whose fertility hasn’t been evaluated.
—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infertile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infertile
Adjective
-
These conditions had much higher fatality rates in 1776 because Americans had no antibiotics, few vaccines, no understanding of germ theory, no sterile surgical techniques and limited access to hospitals, experts note.
-
Officials will begin to release sterile male mosquitoes in Rosemont next week to reduce the spread of Aedes aegypti, a disease-carrying invasive mosquito, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District announced Wednesday.
Adjective
-
The fires eviscerated many of the plants and trees in and around the burn zones, leaving behind barren lots and charred swaths of parkland.
-
There are quite a few interesting options this summer, especially compared to last year’s barren goalie landscape that was headlined by veteran backups.
Adjective
-
Walking around the tiny outpost offers an understanding of just how vast and desolate this arid part of the country can be.
-
In the summer it had been packed with people out on the streets, by the fall is was desolate.
Adjective
-
This British drama series follows a woman named Emma over the course of more than six decades of her life, from the 1900s through the 1970s, working her way from impoverished maid to the world’s richest woman.
-
Known as a Neglected Tropical Disease because of the lack of funding to fight it, schistosomiasis is a serious challenge for impoverished communities.
Adjective
-
Overflowing poor drainage areas in urban areas of northwest Hickory and in the Northlakes area of Caldwell County.
-
There was a lot of poor decision-making with this match, on and off the pitch.
Adjective
-
Movies based on videogames, once unfertile IP for Hollywood at the box office, have blossomed in recent years.
Cite this Entry
“Infertile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infertile. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
