1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter
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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
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Recent Examples of dormant
The historic theater at 2401 N. Main St. reopened in 2021 after sitting dormant for nearly 30 years.
—
Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2025
However, hair follicles may become dormant due to one or more factors, including hormonal imbalances, genetic predispositions, aging or environmental stressors.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
And if reactivating dormant HSV-1 can trigger the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, there are probably a number of ways this can occur beyond an exposure to VZV.
—Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
The study also speculated potential future Alzheimer’s problems may arise from the COVID-19 pandemic as SARS-CoV-2 infections have been known to reactivate dormant VSV and HSV-1 infections.
—Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2025
However, hair follicles may become dormant due to one or more factors, including hormonal imbalances, genetic predispositions, aging or environmental stressors.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
And if reactivating dormant HSV-1 can trigger the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, there are probably a number of ways this can occur beyond an exposure to VZV.
—Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
The study also speculated potential future Alzheimer’s problems may arise from the COVID-19 pandemic as SARS-CoV-2 infections have been known to reactivate dormant VSV and HSV-1 infections.
—Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
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The town of Rock Springs sprouts out of a vacant landscape of sandstone cliffs and sagebrush in southern Wyoming.—
Michael Luo,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
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Gaethje also fell short in his second try at winning the UFC 155-pound belt, dropping a submission to Charles Oliveira for the vacant title in May 2022.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The officers noted minimal damage in the apartment and said that the children were asleep, per the outlet. Ariz.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
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The 55-year-old victim was asleep in her bed in her apartment on Purdy St. near Metropolitan Ave.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This geek will make one bit of idle speculation here: That grassland planet that’s shown here?—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Feb. 2025
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Another four years later, Shiffrin passed the idle Vonn in Kronplatz, scoring her 83rd win.—
Zack Pierce,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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The district has more than 2,500 classrooms, meaning 900 are going unused without counting portable classrooms.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, audits and complaints show that the local agencies that directly pay and monitor shelter contractors often fail to follow up on reports of unsafe conditions, unused beds or missed housing targets.—
CalMatters,
The Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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,
7 Mar. 2025
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Park officials later discovered the remains in the original search area using a human remains detection canine during an off-trail grid search.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Windermere man and a passenger in the BMW M2, a 23-year-old woman from Orlando, were transported to Orlando Health Dr. Phillips Hospital and were later pronounced dead.—
Elainie Barraza,
Orlando Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2025
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Morgan and his three passengers, Ashley Nicole Caviness, 14; Danielle Nicole White, 13; and Brady Frizzell, 14, all of Humphrey, were pronounced dead at the scene.—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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All three wells are currently inactive and are not providing water for the community, Kohlmann said.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2025
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This is comparable in effect to regularly smoking and excessive drinking, being obese and physically inactive.—
João Medeiros,
WIRED,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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