1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of dormant
Sign In Runway February 11, 2025 Photo: Courtesy of Calvin Klein Collection
New York Fashion Week wraps up today, and this season was host to Veronica Leoni’s debut at Calvin Klein, the American behemoth label that had been dormant, at least on the runway, since the 2018 departure of Raf Simons.
—
Vogue, 11 Feb. 2025
When to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses Grasses should be cut back when dormant—any time between late fall and early spring.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2025
Wait for the fig plant to go dormant before moving it indoors.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2025
Listen to this article During his dormant rookie season, Jalen Pickett occasionally played one-on-one against Jamal Murray.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Vogue, 11 Feb. 2025
When to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses Grasses should be cut back when dormant—any time between late fall and early spring.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2025
Wait for the fig plant to go dormant before moving it indoors.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2025
Listen to this article During his dormant rookie season, Jalen Pickett occasionally played one-on-one against Jamal Murray.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
This geek will make one bit of idle speculation here: That grassland planet that’s shown here?—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Another four years later, Shiffrin passed the idle Vonn in Kronplatz, scoring her 83rd win.—
Zack Pierce,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Because the baseball season is long, every off day — both in spring training and in the regular season — is cherished as a time to spend time away from the constant grind of the season.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The companies are also planning another event in December for athletes in leagues that are in their off seasons at the time, like the WNBA, NWSL, and MLB.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Adan Manzano, a 27-year-old sports reporter from Kansas City in New Orleans to cover Super Bowl LIX was found dead in his hotel room.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN,
2 Mar. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
The lawsuit alleges negligence and argues that the panel was supposed to be inactive but had already been powered up, resulting in Gomez’s electrocution.—
Peter Eisler,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Jacobs started 13 of 15 game appearances last year, after being inactive for the first two weeks of the season and getting claimed off waivers from Denver in late August.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share