INERTIA Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

inertia

noun

i-ˈnər-shə

Definition of inertia

as in laziness

an inclination not to do work or engage in activities the inertia that grips so many of the club's members is the reason why nothing ever gets done

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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 inertia Even at its peak, #MeToo felt seismic precisely because the movement was an aberration from the historical norm; nearly a decade later, that norm has reasserted itself with inertia on its side. — Alison Herman, Variety, 30 June 2026 The pivot shows how Beijing’s centralized control lets the government overhaul its system in response to economic and technological shifts, whereas critics bemoan the West’s institutional inertia. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 30 June 2026 Without this deliberate cultural shift, even the most elegant and expensive technical architecture will inevitably stall against the wall of organizational resistance and institutional inertia. — Ali Hoss, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 LaGore further contextualizes current hesitation toward intermodal adoption within organizational memory and operational inertia. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inertia

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inertia

Noun

However, this mentality of laziness is rapidly fading.

— Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Impatience is a form of laziness, and the cure for impatience is to slow way down.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026

Definition of laziness

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inert

inertia

inertness

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“Inertia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inertia. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of inertia

noun

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