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 Never top-dress when the grass is dormant because the compost can suffocate it. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2026 The unusually large amount of water allowed millions of seeds and bulbs to sprout and bloom, many of them after remaining dormant for decades. — Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 In 1997 Rose Marie Bravo was recruited from Saks Fifth Avenue to become CEO and was soon credited with turning Burberry from a dormant heritage brand into a global luxury house. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026 It was left dormant a year ago, when Mahomes graded 26th among 27 qualifying quarterbacks on throws of 20-plus yards beyond the line of scrimmage, per PFF data. — Sam McDowell 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 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
  • Kaikobad recalled a time when roughly 70% to 75% of downtown commercial spaces were vacant.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The Fresh Market of Shawnee, part of the El Mercado Fresco family of brands, is now open in the long-vacant space.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of vacant
Adjective
  • The only reason to think this may be a game is if the Cowboys are asleep, and Jalon Daniels has some success running the ball.
    — Mac Engel October 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Chidgasornpongse crystallizes that cosmic doom further when Grandma Saluay falls half-asleep or stares out the van window, her mind drifting into the ether.
    — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of asleep
Adjective
  • When haul trucks sit idle waiting to recharge, every minute of lost production directly erodes operating margins.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • His friends—these would have been the idle ladies of Moscow society, Countess Khomyakova and Princess Tuchkova and Countess Orlova and others in their circle.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 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
  • Construction was completed in 2014, but the bridge remained unused for years because connecting roads and border facilities on the North Korean side were unfinished.
    — Gage Goulding, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Delete an unused import, flag, branch, endpoint or dependency, or eliminate a comment, test or workaround that no longer reflects reality.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of unused
Adjective
  • Bieber’s dance rehearsals and the functional off-stage uniform of ballet dancers.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • After an off week, Ole Miss dominated Vanderbilt on Saturday to the tune of 52-17 in Nashville.
    — PJ Green October 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • Two men were found dead inside a Long Beach home after one of them exchanged shots with police and sparked a standoff with SWAT officers in a residential neighborhood early Saturday morning, police said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The film follows a Polish burglar who assumes the identity of a dead stranger’s girlfriend, with unexpected results.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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