STAGNATION Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

stagnation

noun

Definition of stagnation

as in recession

a lack of activity or development and especially economic development After years of economic stagnation, employment numbers began to rise.

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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 stagnation Summary Noble Audio introduces its FoKus Artemis wireless headphones, aiming to overcome market stagnation with bold innovation. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 The stagnation of Medicaid reimbursement rates, a pain point at all hospitals may be a factor impacting staffing and boarding rates, according to lawmakers. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026 Creator Zoe Lister-Jones stars as Mae, an urbanite at a marital impasse, looking ahead to a future that promises only domestic stagnation. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Aurelius uses similar techniques across the record, which lends to a certain sameyness by the end, though the tracks’ varied tempos, each one plotted at a different point on the downtempo spectrum, help offset any stagnation. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stagnation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagnation

Noun

In the 9/11 crisis and the recession, that’s when forward guidance began, and then it was institutionalized in the great financial crisis.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The lipstick index is an economic theory holding that sales of affordable discretionary spending or luxuries skyrocket when consumers believe an economic recession is impending.

— Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of recession

Noun

Growth in the world's second-largest economy slowed to multi-year lows in the second quarter, weighed down by tepid domestic demand and a prolonged real estate slump.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
The country is more vulnerable to an oil slump than many other producers, making its defense of prices and preservation of OPEC’s relevance a priority.

— Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of slump

Noun

Hollows haven’t been found elsewhere on planets in our solar system, and with no wind or water to form the thousands of puzzling depressions, scientists want to know what forces sculpted them.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Symptoms include fever, depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration.

— Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of depression

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stagnating

stagnation

stagnations

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“Stagnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagnation. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stagnation

noun

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