stagnate

verb

stag·​nate ˈstag-ˌnāt How to pronounce stagnate (audio)
stagnated; stagnating

intransitive verb

: to become or remain stagnant

Examples of stagnate in a Sentence

a puddle of stagnating water
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
China’s economy is stagnating, and its population is shrinking. Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 Advocates, though, countered that the wage has been stagnated for so long that a large increase is necessary. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2025 As 2025 accelerates this transition from working remotely to returning to the office, one leadership skill may have stagnated from lack of use and needs to be revived. Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.d., Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 Rivals such as Macy's and Kohl's have been forced to consider sweeping changes under pressure from investors, while Nordstrom's sales have largely stagnated over the past decade. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stagnate 

Word History

Etymology

Latin stagnatus, past participle of stagnare, from stagnum body of standing water

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stagnate was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near stagnate

Cite this Entry

“Stagnate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagnate. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

stagnate

verb
stag·​nate ˈstag-ˌnāt How to pronounce stagnate (audio)
stagnated; stagnating
: to be or become stagnant
stagnation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on stagnate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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