suspended animation

noun

Definition of suspended animationnext
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity the husband's feeling that their love life was in suspended animation while his wife lavished all her attention on the new baby

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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 suspended animation Where were the flying cars, suspended animation, immortality drugs, androids, and colonies on Mars? — Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2025 Tessier, meanwhile, focuses exclusively on applying the science of hibernation and suspended animation to organs that are being held for transplantation, to prevent them from being injured in the process. — Deborah Balthazar, STAT, 22 July 2024 One solution long championed by science fiction is suspended animation, or putting humans in a hibernation-like sleep for the duration of travel time. — CNN, 28 Dec. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspended animation
  1. suspension
  2. suspense
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
  • 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

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suspended
suspended animation
suspended animations
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Cite this Entry

“Suspended animation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspended%20animation. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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