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
The legislation was eventually moved to the inactive file.
—
Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the site was inactive and contained no nuclear material, but Israel said the strike was aimed at preventing future weapons development.
—Amanda Castro
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
The state Supreme Court still must approve Spolin’s disbarment, but his license will be inactive in the meantime, barring him from working as a lawyer.
—Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
In humans, p53 is inactive or mutated in about half of all cancers.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inactive
Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the site was inactive and contained no nuclear material, but Israel said the strike was aimed at preventing future weapons development.
—Amanda Castro
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
The state Supreme Court still must approve Spolin’s disbarment, but his license will be inactive in the meantime, barring him from working as a lawyer.
—Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
In humans, p53 is inactive or mutated in about half of all cancers.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inactive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inactive
Adjective
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Paired with the ensemble of braiders is their unpredictable clientele – a string of characters demonstrating the breadth of the American women filling salon chairs, from party girls to nepo babies and sleepy nurses coming off the night shift.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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Even its flavor conjures a deep sleepy forest with woody, spicy and herbaceous notes, and finishes pleasantly bitter.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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After lying dormant for years, the match was revived in NXT by Triple H, becoming a popular annual event for the brand.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
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In fact, the trade market was surprisingly dormant league-wide after widespread anticipation that a hectic two nights were in store.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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But just because a stock has been quiescent for a while is no reason to disdain it.—
John Dorfman,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
-
In the early 2000s, the U.S. invasion of Iraq united Iraqi Kurds in a quest to preserve their autonomy, and the rivalry in greater Kurdistan eclipsed the quiescent Kurdish rivalry within Iraq.—
Behnam Ben Taleblu,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Nov. 2017
Adjective
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No team could use an off day than the New York Mets.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Entering play Thursday, an off day for the Yankees, the reigning American League MVP had the highest average (.361), OPS (1.180), fWAR (6.1) and wRC+ (221) in baseball.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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For organizations looking to unlock efficiency and save their human workforces from dull and repetitive tasks, agents represent an exciting opportunity.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
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The best vitamin C cleansers can come in handy for this—most are packed with brightening antioxidants and fruit enzymes to gently slough away dull, dead skin and protect it from free radicals.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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Manny Pacquiao The 30-year-old Barrios won the vacant WBC interim welterweight title in September 2023 with a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugás.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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Denver’s sideline contingent Court-side seats were mostly vacant on Thursday when the Nuggets opened Summer League play against Milwaukee.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
13 July 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,
2 July 2025
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The anguish lacing through the satire-obsessed ’90s burns like a hangover, at the same time mocking and cherishing the inert residue of hope that history might keep moving forward.—
Alice Bolin
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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The Brewers were idle Thursday and trail the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs by two games in the loss column.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
11 July 2025
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Many of these homes, which were badly needed due to the ongoing housing shortage across the country, are now sitting idle on the market because high mortgage rates and growing economic uncertainty are keeping buyers on the sidelines.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inactive. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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