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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 stagnation Meanwhile, new data has revealed the stagnation or recession of women being hired or represented in production, both in front of and behind the camera. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 That stagnation is at the root of many of our relentless political fights. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 Both brands are owned by Chinese firm Geely, and Chinese automakers have been looking overseas to expand business as their own market has become oversaturated and is now showing signs of stagnation. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 10 Sep. 2026 After winning historic Latino support in 2024, Trump now faces collapsing approval as mass deportations, economic stagnation and inflammatory messaging like the bus graphic threaten GOP fortunes in the 2026 midterms. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stagnation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stagnation

Noun

The brief recession sparked by the Covid pandemic triggered another wave of funding cuts for colleges and universities.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Keynesianism gets a brain freeze John Maynard Keynes is basically the father of macroeconomics, the study of how the entire economy works, including what the government can do to fight recessions, boost employment, and control inflation.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of recession

Noun

When healthy, Ohtani has the ability to break out of even the most dire of slumps with an otherworldly performance, like that three-homer (as a hitter), 10-strikeout (as a pitcher) all-timer.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
In other words, even when people and businesses think ahead and act in their own interests, sticky prices can keep the economy stuck in a slump.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of slump

Noun

The depression that plagues him in winters is nowhere to be found.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
But their emergence also underscores how much psychiatry still needs to learn about the biological underpinnings of depression and why patients respond differently to treatment.

— Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of depression

Browse Nearby Words

stagnating

stagnation

stagnations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stagnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stagnation. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stagnation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes