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
Fire poppies are rare, germinating only in the presence of karrikins, a chemical compound in smoke, which awakens them from dormancy.
—
Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
In 2019, Trump, in his first term, resurrected the combatant command at Peterson Space Force Base as a standalone entity after a 17-year dormancy.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Most plants have new growth during the longer days of spring and summer and enter a period of slowness or dormancy during shorter days of autumn and winter.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 14 Sep. 2025
Every week that goes by, the new plants will require less maintenance because the plants are headed to winter dormancy.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
In 2019, Trump, in his first term, resurrected the combatant command at Peterson Space Force Base as a standalone entity after a 17-year dormancy.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Most plants have new growth during the longer days of spring and summer and enter a period of slowness or dormancy during shorter days of autumn and winter.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 14 Sep. 2025
Every week that goes by, the new plants will require less maintenance because the plants are headed to winter dormancy.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
Noun
-
All while Rice is eligible to play as of this week now that his six-game suspension has been served.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Branch is likely going to get a fine for his role in the altercation with a possible suspension coming too.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
More modern power resources, like wind, solar, and batteries, don't involve inertia, because they are digitally controlled.—
Julia Simon,
NPR,
8 Oct. 2025
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The inertia continues despite economic and regulatory headwinds across the world that threaten to impact sales and product strategies.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This time around, while Chambers remains turned away, Teasdale crouches with an unsettling smile and long fingernails, conjuring a skin-crawling suspense.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
10 Oct. 2025
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Maybe with a more daring hand on the helm, our voyage wouldn’t have run out of suspense before the conclusion.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
All points expire after 12 months of inactivity and Notes expire 12 months after they are issued.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
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Its auto-pause technology is a special feature that prevents overheating by stopping airflow after three seconds of inactivity.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Russian state propaganda is formidable, but sufficient economic hardship could disturb the quiescence of Russian society.—
Celeste A. Wallander,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Sep. 2025
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On September 16, 2024, after a long period of quiescence in interest rate policy, the Federal Reserve finally lowered the Fed Funds Rate target – the first downshift in more than 4 years.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Durbin, who is set to retire in two years, said the impact of inaction will soon be felt in his home state.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
9 Oct. 2025
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Outsourcing the job to non-state actors allows aggressors to avoid activating the terms that trigger action in security alliances, making the reputational damage of inaction by the security guarantor much lower.—
Omar Al-Ubaydli,
semafor.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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