stagnate

verb

stag·​nate ˈstag-ˌnāt How to pronounce stagnate (audio)
stagnated; stagnating

intransitive verb

: to become or remain stagnant
a puddle of stagnating water
wages stagnated

Examples of stagnate in a Sentence

a puddle of stagnating water
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Iran war has hit France's stagnating economy with higher energy costs. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Venezuela’s oil output began to stagnate, a situation which worsened further after the coup attempt of April 2002. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Venezuela’s multitrillion-dollar oil industry has long stagnated under Maduro’s leadership and prior socialist governments. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026 Youth movement Youth will be one of the determining factors in whether this team moves forward, stagnates or backslides. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stagnate

Word History

Etymology

Latin stagnatus, past participle of stagnare, from stagnum body of standing water

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stagnate was in 1661

Rhymes for stagnate

See All Rhymes for stagnate

Browse Nearby Words

stagnant
stagnate
stagnation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stagnate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagnate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stagnate

verb
stag·​nate ˈstag-ˌnāt How to pronounce stagnate (audio)
stagnated; stagnating
: to be or become stagnant
stagnation
stag-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce stagnate (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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