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.
However, progress stagnated for Black populations by 2016. Amy Maxmen | Kff Health News, ABC News, 18 Jan. 2025 Earlier this week, the ONS announced that the U.K. economy grew by just 0.1% in November and stagnated over a three-month timeframe. Jenni Reid, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025 Meanwhile, the story goes, China is powering ahead, pairing ambitious economic and diplomatic agendas with a massive military expansion while the United States staggers under the weight of inequality, stagnating wages, legislative gridlock, political polarization, and populism. Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 Containment stagnated at 15%, the same figure two days ago, but fire activity remained minimal on Wednesday, according to Tonto National Forest officials in a news release. Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 26 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 27 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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