as in recession
a lack of activity or development and especially economic development
After years of economic stagnation, employment numbers began to rise.
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Recent Examples of stagnation
The industry has faced an apparent stagnation over the last 20 years, and during this period, Martell said modest, low-budget material was made over major feature films.
—
Will Ripley, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Takaichi is stepping into the role as the world’s fourth-largest economy faces familiar challenges of inflation and wage stagnation.
—Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The National Weather Service has issued an air stagnation advisory, but the inversion hasn’t caused the air to reach levels that most people need worry about, according to Toole.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
To settle for Bradley without turning over every other possible stone (and there are some damn good ones) is to accept stagnation.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagnation
Will Ripley, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Takaichi is stepping into the role as the world’s fourth-largest economy faces familiar challenges of inflation and wage stagnation.
—Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The National Weather Service has issued an air stagnation advisory, but the inversion hasn’t caused the air to reach levels that most people need worry about, according to Toole.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
To settle for Bradley without turning over every other possible stone (and there are some damn good ones) is to accept stagnation.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagnation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagnation
Noun
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After more than a decade of success, the 2000s saw a recession that some thought might spell the end of the space sim genre.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Bazinet wrote the fall wasn't due to fundamentals, but rather a rotation out of tech stocks that were more insulated from headwinds early in 2025 like tariffs, artificial intelligence risks and recession concerns.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As China struggles with a prolonged economic slump, and the US has emerged with the highest number of billionaires in the world, with over 900 (up from 813 in 2024), more splashy events in the country will follow.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Snapping Marta Suarez’s slump One reason TCU hasn’t looked as dominant since the start of the New Year is the play of graduate forward Marta Suarez.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Studies have shown that some medical conditions, like polycystic ovarian syndrome and depression, can also increase food noise, as can stress and inadequate sleep.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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My body often shut down and I was overcome with anxiety and depression, unable to eat or sleep, hiding away in a dark room for days until the pain lifted.—
Fatima Bhutto,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stagnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagnation. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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