dormancy

noun

ˈdȯr-mən(t)-sē How to pronounce dormancy (audio)
Definition of dormancynext
1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity some volcanoes have eruptive cycles marked by long stretches of dormancy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dormancy New growth sprouts at ground level when plants break dormancy in spring. — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Sep. 2026 June-bearing strawberries produce a large crop of berries in early summer and then enter a state of dormancy and stop fruiting entirely. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026 The administration has resumed strikes after months of dormancy. — Laura Romero, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 The layoffs come as Ellison has been quietly rebuilding her business after several years of near-dormancy. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dormancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormancy
  1. suspension
  2. inertia
  3. suspense
  4. inactivity
  5. quiescence
  6. inaction
Noun
  • Equally responsible for this Bentley’s milestone handling are the Supersports’ electronic limited-slip differential, rear-wheel steering, suspension aided by a 48-volt active anti-roll bar, and enormous carbon-silicon-carbide brakes.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026
  • If a violation is found, schools can impose sanctions up to suspension or expulsion, and both parties have the right to appeal.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of suspension
Noun
  • As for whether the report helps prompt change or becomes yet another weighty academic doorstop, that remains to be seen at City Hall, where entrenched political power often combines with bureaucratic inertia to stifle innovation.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The researchers also focused on reducing the robot’s effective inertia, a property that describes how strongly an object resists changes in its motion.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of inertia
Noun
  • To be fair, the fault here lies equally with the scripts, which dump information without first creating suspense.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The holiday atmosphere can provide an extra element of suspense when done right, as in these four notable films.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of suspense
Noun
  • Clots can also be caused by inactivity, such as sitting on a long flight or being immobile after surgery.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
  • An injury can damage a vein, while prolonged inactivity slows blood flow.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of inactivity
Noun
  • Black liberation, no matter how distinct in its language, history, and practice, cannot be absent from any discussion of historical quiescence.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
  • Our blanket of air expands when the sun is active and contracts during times of solar quiescence.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 May 2026
Definition of quiescence
Noun
  • Muñiz helped defend the office’s inaction — even though New York’s attorney general acted on similar complaints in that state and netted a $25 million settlement for victims there.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In some, the lawyer’s inaction had caused the clients to lose their appeal rights.
    — Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of inaction

Browse Nearby Words

dormancies
dormancy
dormant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dormancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormancy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All