dormant

adjective

ˈdȯr-mənt How to pronounce dormant (audio)
Definition of dormantnext
1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dormant distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of dormant are latent, potential, and quiescent. While all these words mean "not now showing signs of activity or existence," dormant suggests the inactivity of something (such as a feeling or power) as though sleeping.

their passion had lain dormant

Where would latent be a reasonable alternative to dormant?

The words latent and dormant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop.

a latent desire for success

When is it sensible to use potential instead of dormant?

The synonyms potential and dormant are sometimes interchangeable, but potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have.

a potential disaster

When can quiescent be used instead of dormant?

In some situations, the words quiescent and dormant are roughly equivalent. However, quiescent suggests a usually temporary cessation of activity.

the disease was quiescent

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 dormant How did a young Upper East Side matron with a small daughter and a dormant career as an art historian get here? — Lisa Henricksson, Air Mail, 27 June 2026 Some of the renovations have been successful; fountains are running anew, including the long-dormant cascading water feature at the city’s popular Meridian Hill Park. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Stone fruits, such as apricots (Prunus armeniaca), are particularly susceptible to severe fungal issues like Eutypa dieback and silver leaf disease when pruned in winter, while the trees are dormant and the weather is wet. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 June 2026 Del Toro remains one of Hollywood’s most imaginative visual entertainers, and the prospect of visiting his long-dormant underworld later in 2026 promises not just fresh nostalgia but maybe even total immersion. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dormant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dormant
  1. sleeping
  2. vacant
  3. asleep
  4. idle
  5. resting
  6. unused
  7. off
  8. dead
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
Definition of sleeping
Adjective
  • Now, owners face rising costs and limited revenue, leading to over 57,000 vacant units.
    — Shimon Shkury, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • When Vine Street Brewing opened in a long-vacant building in 2023, redevelopment in the district was still gaining momentum.
    — J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
Definition of vacant
Adjective
  • Ed Lomena, the attorney representing the pilot — who asked not to be identified by name for fear of job repercussions — says his client was asleep when the creatures entered the room.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • His attorney, Ed Lowena, said his client was asleep when the disturbance began.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of asleep
Adjective
  • Reclaiming idle assets cuts waste, spend and unnecessary procurement at the same time.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • No, not the usual idle front-row niceties, but the scorching heat wave that has settled like a dense cloud over the City of Lights.
    — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 24 June 2026
Definition of idle
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of resting
Adjective
  • In a post shared on X on Wednesday, July 1, Mamdani urged New Yorkers to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees, reduce electricity use and unplug unused electronics as temperatures continue to climb.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • Pay close attention to apps that mention bandwidth sharing, proxy access or earning rewards from unused internet.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of unused
Adjective
  • Sooryavanshi missed his first two balls and got off the mark with a sketchy inside edge that pinged past his off stump.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • If your student has an off-campus job or a position that requires them to work odd hours, a car might be worth the expense and hassle.
    — Chris Teague, AJC.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • There were no signs of rodents at any businesses during this inspection period, but dead roaches were found at Conservatory at Plano, at 6401 Ohio Drive.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
  • She was flown by Life Flight to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of dead

Browse Nearby Words

dormancy
dormant
dormitories
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Cite this Entry

“Dormant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dormant. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dormant

Nglish: Translation of dormant for Spanish Speakers

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