1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity
some volcanoes have eruptive cycles marked by long stretches of dormancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inertia
lack of action or activity
a fighting force that could be roused instantly from dormancy to action
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dormancy
Once the plant has bloomed, the foliage fades and the bulb begins a natural period of dormancy to store energy for the next growing season.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2025
The new appearance is turf’s healthy response to frigid temperatures and limited daylight as the grass plants move into dormancy to preserve their root system.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025
April is prime time to see apple blossoms burst from their winter dormancy.
—Erica Zazo, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2025
This is likely due to HSV’s dormancy and its ability to evade the immune system, more advanced than other herpesvirus infection, such as chickenpox and shingles, against which vaccines exist.
—Dr. Tal Patalon, Md, Llb, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2025
The new appearance is turf’s healthy response to frigid temperatures and limited daylight as the grass plants move into dormancy to preserve their root system.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025
April is prime time to see apple blossoms burst from their winter dormancy.
—Erica Zazo, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2025
This is likely due to HSV’s dormancy and its ability to evade the immune system, more advanced than other herpesvirus infection, such as chickenpox and shingles, against which vaccines exist.
—Dr. Tal Patalon, Md, Llb, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
Noun
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Reuters reported in late 2023 that tens of thousands of owners had experienced premature failures of suspension or steering parts since 2016, citing Tesla documents and interviews with customers and former employees.—
Reuters,
CNN,
21 Feb. 2025
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Callender is still recovering from an adductor injury, Bright has a leg laceration and Alba is serving a rollover suspension from the Champions Cup last year.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But that inertia may be intensified by how the social-media ecosystem has palpably decayed since the late twenty-tens, and not just because the politics of the platforms have shifted toward Trump.—
Kyle Chayka,
The New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2025
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Turns out, this journey isn’t about the outcome so much as finding the will to overcome the inertia that holds us in place.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There’s a great twist at the end, and lots of suspense.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2025
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Are Any of the Single’s Inferno Season 4 Couples Still Together? To preserve the suspense of Single’s Inferno, the contestants are not allowed to share anything about their dating life on social media.—
Kayti Burt,
TIME,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
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After over a decade of relative quiescence, the global AI market is expected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2030, according to Grand View Research, fueled by advancements in natural language processing, generative AI, and machine learning (ML).—
Douglas B. Laney,
Forbes,
17 Dec. 2024
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The seasons of the Sun 🌿☀️🍂❄️ Just as Earth has seasons, our Sun moves from times of frequent eruptions to stretches of relative quiescence.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Question whether the risk of inaction is greater than the risk of moving forward.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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The resolution likely will involve a combination of state help, fare increases and governance changes or consolidation for the various agencies, including the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and the Regional Transportation Authority, but inaction isn’t an option.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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