1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vacant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
the engine lay dormant in the garage until we found a use for it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dormant
Most thinning cuts are made when the plant is dormant.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
The mess has led to the rise of former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, whose longtime top advisor just pleaded guilty to fraud after being busted in a scheme to steal funds from one of Becerra’s campaign accounts that was dormant.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Over the past two decades or so, Lynn has revived, modernized, and enlarged on a long-dormant antitrust ideology, spreading its tenets with astonishing energy.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
The Mauna Kea Observatories are a group of massive telescopes located at the summit of a dormant volcano.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
The mess has led to the rise of former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, whose longtime top advisor just pleaded guilty to fraud after being busted in a scheme to steal funds from one of Becerra’s campaign accounts that was dormant.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Over the past two decades or so, Lynn has revived, modernized, and enlarged on a long-dormant antitrust ideology, spreading its tenets with astonishing energy.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
The Mauna Kea Observatories are a group of massive telescopes located at the summit of a dormant volcano.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
Adjective
-
An autopsy showed that the infant died from asphyxiation secondary to a co-sleeping/overlay event with an unsafe sleeping environment.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Indeed, former manager Roy Hodgson, who took interim charge at Bristol City towards the end of the season, recommended him for the vacant manager’s job at Ashton Gate.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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The vice president position has been vacant since Simeon Rosas departed in October.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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Anyone who likes keeping the balcony doors open at night and falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves should enjoy the Ocean Rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Veeze’s signature rapping voice, which sounds like his vocal cords are coated in phlegm and cough syrup, is increasingly versatile, despite the sometimes half-asleep delivery.—
Matthew Ritchie,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Decades of redlining, redistricting and urban abandonment have left more than 250,000 vacant, privately and publicly owned lots sitting completely idle.—
Stephanie Tharpe,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
-
Colbert doesn’t plan to be idle for long.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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That’s because when the body experiences physical stress, including losing weight quickly, more hairs can shift into a resting phase and fall out a few months later — typically two to three months after the event, Rossi explains.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
17 Feb. 2026
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This is a condition where, due to stress or hormonal changes, the body puts the hair follicles into a resting phase.—
Essence,
Essence,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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As well as those two first-team appearances, Morrison has been an unused substitute on 13 occasions.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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Chinese partners Leapmotor and Dongfeng would provide electric vehicle technology and use some of Stellantis’s unused factories in Europe to make their own products or badge them with Stellantis brands.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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On Wednesday afternoon, the Indiana Fever superstar took advantage of an off day to catch some MLB action at Oracle Park.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 May 2026
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The beauty mogul utilizes every weapon in her arsenal to ensure her off-duty looks make the highest impact possible.—
Kelsey Stiegman,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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He was taken by paramedics to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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Natalee was declared legally dead in January 2012 In September 2011, Natalee's father, Dave, filed a petition in Alabama probate court requesting that Natalee be declared legally dead.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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