1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dormant
Stimulate Hair Follicles: The shampoo restarts the natural hair growth cycle by waking dormant hair follicles.
—
Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
Among them: Immune dysfunction, the reactivation of dormant viruses like herpes, dysregulation of clotting proteins, and trouble with the microbiome.
—Will Stone, NPR, 12 Mar. 2025
Another potential cause involves the reactivation of other viruses, such as EBV and HIV, that have been sitting in a dormant state in people’s bodies.
—Katie Camero, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2025
The venture market broadly has struggled in recent years, with tech IPOs largely drying up in 2022 and staying relatively dormant aside from a few notable deals each year.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
Among them: Immune dysfunction, the reactivation of dormant viruses like herpes, dysregulation of clotting proteins, and trouble with the microbiome.
—Will Stone, NPR, 12 Mar. 2025
Another potential cause involves the reactivation of other viruses, such as EBV and HIV, that have been sitting in a dormant state in people’s bodies.
—Katie Camero, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2025
The venture market broadly has struggled in recent years, with tech IPOs largely drying up in 2022 and staying relatively dormant aside from a few notable deals each year.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
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Two other seats were left vacant when Democratic lawmakers died.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
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Council members March 25 voted unanimously to rezone a vacant property on the west side of Montgomery for high-intensity mixed-use development, a designation allowing combinations of apartments, hotels and retail spaces.—
Jaime Moore-Carrillo,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Chronic insomnia — an inability to fall or stay asleep or waking up much earlier than desired — could lead to serious issues, including heart attacks and stroke.—
Andrew Torgan,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
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Fernandez-Mendoza: Our team was the first to show that those complaining about insomnia – difficulty falling or staying asleep – were more likely to have high blood pressure and be at risk for heart disease.—
Julio Fernandez-Mendoza,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But at the end of 2020, another 230,000 wells were idle.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2025
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These were a big 4 points for the Wild in the last two games, moving them 8 points ahead of the St. Louis Blues, who were idle and are in ninth place in the Western Conference.—
Joe Smith,
The Athletic,
20 Mar. 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 extent of unused offices in Washington was highlighted in a December report from Sen. Joni Ernst’s (R-IA) office.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
26 Mar. 2025
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Best Google Assistant Smart Display Photograph: Nena Farrell Google Pixel Tablet $499 $399 at Amazon $399 $279 at Amazon (Tablet Only) $499 at Best Buy $360 at Google Store Smart displays are great in a few different parts of the home, like the kitchen or an entryway, but might go mostly unused.—
Parker Hall,
Wired News,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Alcaraz, who lives his best life at Indian Wells, playing golf on his off days and pummeling his opponent, chalked up the slow start and the loss to having fallen into the trap of thinking too much about his opponent rather than focusing on himself.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
16 Mar. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Miller, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, was found dead on Friday morning at a hotel in Manuel Antonio.—
Ana Melgar Zuniga and Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
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Police found Hurd, 32, dead with multiple stab wounds in her townhome in Charlotte's upscale South Park neighborhood on July 14 of last year while responding to a call for medical assistance that afternoon.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Gene Simmons Band went on hiatus in the fall of 2018 and remained inactive until last April.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Mar. 2025
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One small study was conducted in humans with obesity who received ACV for 12 weeks and followed a low-calorie diet compared to a group taking a placebo (inactive treatment given to people in a study control group).—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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