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 That's an enormous battery for a PHEV – sufficiently large that for many owners, the gasoline engine could remain largely dormant during normal commuting. — New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026 In September 2024, Sheeran resurrected a dormant $67 million settlement and included language that would peel off $10 million for the Hope Florida Foundation, the Herald/Times previously reported. — Justin Garcia, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 For me, Sliman was pouring water on a dormant seed anxious to sprout. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Envelopes, cigarette paper and toilet or facial tissue Trump imposed these tariffs by reaching back to a long-dormant Great Depression-era law. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 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
  • Per the current listing, the site is now vacant and shovel-ready for building out a seven-bedroom, seven-plus-bath behemoth, all connected by a private elevator.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The vacant 113,464-square-foot building sits at the northeast corner of Bowes Road and South McLean Boulevard.
    — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of vacant
Adjective
  • Video appears to show the operator asleep moments before the collision.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The second drug is a paralytic that freezes the body from the outside in, creating the effect that the person is peacefully asleep.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of asleep
Adjective
  • There are no staffing meetings, no waiting for someone to become available and no work sitting idle because the right person is on vacation or buried under a backlog of deliverables.
    — Charles Lew, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This results in more empty containers sitting idle on chassis throughout the ports.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 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
  • Their displays adapt to occupied seats, giving the nearest rider full control while unused screens show trip status or ambient imagery.
    — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The money had been allocated to the Strategic Fund board in October 2022 and ended up unused.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of unused
Adjective
  • The arrival of Marmoush, a springy runner who is dangerous on the break and dynamic with his off-ball movement, helped reinforce a bolder new approach.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Diaz tacked on an RBI single in the ninth off rookie Bradley Hanner as the Astros scored six runs against New York's bullpen.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • Current policy allows airport facilities to be named only for people who have been dead at least two years and who made significant contributions to the airport authority or aviation in Middle Tennessee.
    — Hadley Hitson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • To that end, Chris Diamantopoulos looks like an inspired bit of casting as Mitch McNamara, a government agent who swoops in to examine eight dead Jasons and a ninth the police are holding in an interrogation room.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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