stagnation

noun

stag·​na·​tion stag-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce stagnation (audio)
: a stagnant state or condition : a state or condition marked by lack of flow, movement, or development
In short, the increasing contamination and stagnation of the segment of river had become a matter of concern.Ryan Holifield and Nick Schuelke
In 1664, when plague had struck Amsterdam again, with the usual stagnation of trade that followed its worst attacks, the sight of a shooting star was taken as axiomatic confirmation of divine displeasure.Simon Schama

Examples of stagnation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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For entrepreneurs, mastering these skills can be the difference between growth and stagnation. Shai Zamanian, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 For individuals with anxiety, depression, or PTSD, clutter can serve as a subtle but powerful emotional trigger, reinforcing feelings of chaos, overwhelm, or stagnation. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 2 Apr. 2025 Once again though, such efforts, though ambitious, were not enough to help the United States resolve structural issues, such as job losses and wage stagnation, that came with its integration into the global economy. Made By History, Time, 1 Apr. 2025 Both giants have massive social media (and search) revenue streams, but both also rely on AI sparkle to tell a story about future growth — and mask stagnation in their core businesses. Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stagnation

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stagnation was in 1644

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Cite this Entry

“Stagnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagnation. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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