1
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
it's easiest to catch snakes early in the morning, while they're still cold and inactive
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
an inactive oil well
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inactive
Of those 94 open work orders for the three lines, seven were for towers carrying the inactive line, records showed.
—
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Hidalgo County came in first overall, with the highest percentage of obese adults (45%) and physically inactive adults.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
So far, 96 of those samples were negative by polymerase chain reaction testing, or PCR, which detects live virus as well as inactive viral particles, indicating that those cheeses probably weren’t made with contaminated milk.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
With none of those fights being offered to him, Edwards was inactive.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inactive
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Hidalgo County came in first overall, with the highest percentage of obese adults (45%) and physically inactive adults.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
So far, 96 of those samples were negative by polymerase chain reaction testing, or PCR, which detects live virus as well as inactive viral particles, indicating that those cheeses probably weren’t made with contaminated milk.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
With none of those fights being offered to him, Edwards was inactive.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inactive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inactive
Adjective
-
It is situated next to a sleepy mobile home park, some single-family home neighborhoods and the park.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
-
This delicious sleep aid comes in five different flavors: mint chocolate, hot cocoa, cinnamon chai, sleepy berry and rose.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The real culprits, of course, are those bio-raptors who have a severe allergic reaction to light, and (much like certain species of cicada) have lain dormant for years on end.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Similarly, a fractional COO could focus on scaling operations during a rapid growth phase and lay dormant during less operationally challenging times.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Nee and Dimond’s story was sweet and innocent, its L.G.B.T.Q. allegory quiescent beneath an uncontroversial message of acceptance.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2025
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China now has a large, prosperous middle class that is quiescent out of realistic caution but yearns for more freedom.—
Andrew J. Nathan,
Foreign Affairs,
30 May 2019
Adjective
-
Last-minute fixes were still being made, and some Cubs players trickled into the clubhouse to put stuff in their lockers or work out on their off day.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
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Stewart’s on-field production left a lot to be desired last year, but his motor doesn’t have an off switch.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Miracle leave-in product: on sale for $28 (30% off) Original price: $40 (Ulta) Dealing with dull or damaged hair?—
Christopher Murray,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2025
-
No race including Bianco or Jenner should ever be dull, though, and this one likely won’t be either.—
Thomas Elias,
The Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The 27-year-old Ennis (33-0-0-1 with 29 knockouts) won the vacant IBF interim welterweight crown in January 2023 with a unanimous decision victory over Karen Chukhadzhian.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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The now vacant patch of land is roughly a mile west of Interstate 35W, within walking distance of a post office, a gas station, a high school and miles of subdivisions.—
Jaime Moore-Carrillo,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Originally supposed to fly Sierra Space Dream Chaser test flight, but payload switched to an inert mass simulator because of potential Dream Chaser delays beyond October launch date.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Apr. 2025
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But unlike many painting shows at MoMA, those works—mostly paintings, along with a smattering of sculptures and some prints—don’t just hang there, inert.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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These men would have long periods of time being idle, and the contrast between boredom and peril is pretty extreme.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2025
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At 45-32, the Clippers are tied with the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves and No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies, who were both idle.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inactive. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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