1
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
the inert, abandoned factories that are scattered all over that dying city
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
a sleepy, inert reptile that is no threat to people when left alone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inert
The implication is that this dereliction explains why the institution is inert and unresponsive to the American people.
—
Lorelei Kelly, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
In Kinda Pregnant, an inert Netflix comedy directed by Tyler Spindel from a script penned by Julie Paiva and Amy Schumer, baby fever leads to questionable decision making and a bizarre, but ultimately predictable, adventure.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025
But this imaginary relationship is emotionally inert and undercuts Suzy’s emotional progress, which is also slightly derailed by a running time that is at least 15 minutes too long.
—Chad Jones, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
Sandia National Laboratories developed ‘Radar Responsive’ tags, a long-range version of the ubiquitous stick-on RFID tags on items in shops, which is inert until woken by a radar pulse.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inert
Lorelei Kelly, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
In Kinda Pregnant, an inert Netflix comedy directed by Tyler Spindel from a script penned by Julie Paiva and Amy Schumer, baby fever leads to questionable decision making and a bizarre, but ultimately predictable, adventure.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025
But this imaginary relationship is emotionally inert and undercuts Suzy’s emotional progress, which is also slightly derailed by a running time that is at least 15 minutes too long.
—Chad Jones, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
Sandia National Laboratories developed ‘Radar Responsive’ tags, a long-range version of the ubiquitous stick-on RFID tags on items in shops, which is inert until woken by a radar pulse.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inert
Adjective
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Producing companies can maintain decent drilling programs at $70 oil, but most of the currently active rigs would quickly go dormant at $50 per barrel.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Obligate diapause solves this by ensuring that the whole population goes dormant just before pupation, the final transformation from larva to adult.—
Cody Cottier,
Discover Magazine,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Stay Here: Christian Louboutin’s Vermelho (a Relais & Châteaux property in the sleepy village of Melides) is a true visual feast.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2025
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Eco-friendly boutique shops, trendy coffee spots, and cafes selling poke bowls have also popped up throughout the sleepy coastal town.—
Katie Lockhart,
Travel + Leisure,
27 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 fight was very dull and Ankalaev most held his way to the victory.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Without their alternate selves to tug at them, these characters would be dull, dull, dull.—
Katy Waldman,
The New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The council recently appointed Roberts to fill a vacant seat.—
Greg Wehner,
Fox News,
13 Mar. 2025
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Tourists will still come by the thousands to admire the monuments, even if some of the big stone buildings turn vacant, like the ruins of the Roman Forum.—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
13 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
Adjective
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Rheinmetall, the German defense giant once controlled by the Third Reich, is considering acquiring one of Volkswagen's soon-to-be idle plants, exploring ways to repurpose existing automotive infrastructure for military production.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
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People who have lots of weak ties, who make eye contact and idle chitchat with baristas and neighbors, feel happier than those who don’t, her studies find.—
Olga Khazan,
Vox,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Prussians’ true sentiments might’ve been more clearly displayed by the lack of a popular groundswell of opposition to Bismarck and the king’s extralegal actions; the people remained quiescent and continued to pay their taxes without complaint.—
Christine Adams / Made by History,
TIME,
13 Mar. 2025
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In its first winter, the larva enters a quiescent state, pausing its development until conditions improve.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to inert
Cite this Entry
“Inert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inert. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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