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
After a prolonged dormancy, the lawn simply runs out of resources to sustain life.
—
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2025
One of the facilities is the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California, which reopened early this year after years of relative dormancy due to reports of unsafe conditions.
—Dhruv Mehrotra, Wired News, 25 June 2025
These trees should be pruned only during winter dormancy, when the sap-feeding beetles that spread Dutch elm disease are inactive.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
The Rise And Fall (And Rise) of Lowland Whisky
The Lowlands region is finally recovering after a long period of dormancy for malt whisky production.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2025
One of the facilities is the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California, which reopened early this year after years of relative dormancy due to reports of unsafe conditions.
—Dhruv Mehrotra, Wired News, 25 June 2025
These trees should be pruned only during winter dormancy, when the sap-feeding beetles that spread Dutch elm disease are inactive.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
The Rise And Fall (And Rise) of Lowland Whisky
The Lowlands region is finally recovering after a long period of dormancy for malt whisky production.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
Noun
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However, the suspension of the de minimis rule now means that lower value shipments will now be subject to an additional 10% to 50% levy that coincides with the tariff rate of the country of origin, or a flat rate of $80 to $200, depending on which option the seller chooses.—
Rhett Buttle,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Their offense, outside their all-world quarterback, doesn’t scare anybody, not without Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (injury), and with Travis Kelce in Year 13.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This might look like prolonged dependence on parents for housing and finances, difficulty committing to work or education, avoidance of romantic or social commitments or a general inertia around planning for the future.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Driven by the balance between gravity and inertia, the weight shifts automatically as vibrations change.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This is mostly an over-the-top spy thriller with wild shootouts, great suspense and some really intense action, but this scene took it to another level entirely.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
After a chaotic 90 seconds that included six penalties, Campbell sacked Young on fourth down to end the suspense.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Despite personality friction within the reggae-assimilating band even after decades of inactivity as a unit, The Police successfully undertook a lucrative reunion world tour from 2007-2008 that reportedly earned the group over $360 million, becoming one of the highest grossing tours of all-time.—
Mike Alleyne,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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In addition, the plan is to launch an education and awareness initiative on screen time, one of the causes of inactivity, which will be led by the surgeon general.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
9 Sep. 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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Sheriff Tony later condemned his deputies’ failures, including their inaction on removing Nathan’s firearms or seeking a court order under Florida’s red flag law, passed after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High massacre.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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Concerns about interest rates, global events, or potential downturns can lead to overly cautious choices—or even inaction.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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