LATENT Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'latent' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of latent are dormant , potential , and quiescent . While all these words mean "not now showing signs of activity or existence," latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop. // a latent desire for success

Q: Where would 'dormant' be a reasonable alternative to 'latent'?

While the synonyms dormant and latent are close in meaning, dormant suggests the inactivity of something (such as a feeling or power) as though sleeping. // their passion had lain dormant

Q: When can 'potential' be used instead of 'latent'?

While in some cases nearly identical to latent , potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have. // a potential disaster

Q: When would 'quiescent' be a good substitute for 'latent'?

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

latent

adjective

ˈlā-tᵊnt

Definition of latent

as in dormant

not being in a state of use, activity, or employment he has a latent talent for acting that he hasn't had a chance to express yet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word latent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of latent are dormant, potential, and quiescent. While all these words mean "not now showing signs of activity or existence," latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop.

a latent desire for success

Where would dormant be a reasonable alternative to latent?

While the synonyms dormant and latent are close in meaning, dormant suggests the inactivity of something (such as a feeling or power) as though sleeping.

their passion had lain dormant

When can potential be used instead of latent?

While in some cases nearly identical to latent, potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have.

a potential disaster

When would quiescent be a good substitute for latent?

In some situations, the words quiescent and latent 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 latent D’Angelo’s 1995 interpretation spotlighted what had always been latent — the song’s vibrant eroticism. — New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026 By not categorizing the ISS as a monetizable enterprise, an immense amount of enterprise value remains latent and inaccessible to the broader market. — Tejpaul Bhatia, Fortune, 20 May 2026 The threat of a similarly latent attack — in which malware lies dormant in critical infrastructure systems, waiting for a signal to activate — is a real cause for concern in the sector, despite its best efforts and technological advances, experts and insiders said. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026 An outbreak in January among high school students in San Francisco points to the persistence of the disease, which has both active and latent stages, according to previous reporting by The Mercury News. — Allison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for latent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for latent

Adjective

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
Our bedroom is obviously dormant and dead, but that’s ok too.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of dormant

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

Browse Nearby Words

lateness

latent

later

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of latent

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on latent

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes