inactive

adjective

(ˌ)i-ˈnak-tiv How to pronounce inactive (audio)
Definition of inactivenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word inactive different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of inactive are idle, inert, passive, and supine. While all these words mean "not engaged in work or activity," inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work.

on inactive status as an astronaut
inactive accounts

When could idle be used to replace inactive?

In some situations, the words idle and inactive are roughly equivalent. However, idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements.

workers were idle in the fields

When can inert be used instead of inactive?

The words inert and inactive can be used in similar contexts, but inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity.

inert ingredients in drugs
an inert citizenry

When is it sensible to use passive instead of inactive?

The words passive and inactive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control.

passive resistance

When is supine a more appropriate choice than inactive?

The meanings of supine and inactive largely overlap; however, supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence.

a supine willingness to play the fool

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 inactive The fault caused an increase of current on energized lines running parallel to the company’s inactive line in Eaton Canyon, where the blaze is thought to have started. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025 On the other hand, the inactive B12 (Holo-HC) is mostly just ‘in storage’ in the liver and doesn’t directly help with bodily functions. —New Atlas, 19 Feb. 2025 The lawsuit alleges negligence and argues that the panel was supposed to be inactive but had already been powered up, resulting in Gomez’s electrocution. —Peter Eisler, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025 Jacobs started 13 of 15 game appearances last year, after being inactive for the first two weeks of the season and getting claimed off waivers from Denver in late August. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inactive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inactive
  1. sleepy
  2. dormant
  3. quiescent
  4. off
  5. dull
  6. vacant
  7. inert
  8. idle
Adjective
  • Stay Here: Christian Louboutin’s Vermelho (a Relais & Châteaux property in the sleepy village of Melides) is a true visual feast.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Eco-friendly boutique shops, trendy coffee spots, and cafes selling poke bowls have also popped up throughout the sleepy coastal town.
    — Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of sleepy
Adjective
  • By targeting the root cause, that is dormant hair follicles, the treatment has a more complete effect as opposed to what is currently being offered, which only slows down the process of hair loss.
    — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The study also speculated potential future Alzheimer’s problems may arise from the COVID-19 pandemic as SARS-CoV-2 infections have been known to reactivate dormant VSV and HSV-1 infections.
    — Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of dormant
Adjective
  • This large, circulating cloud of material, including hot gases enriched in oxygen, was found to be absent from quiescent galaxies that had ceased star formation.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2025
  • There is no guarantee that the crisis will remain quiescent for much longer.
    — Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2025
Definition of quiescent
Adjective
  • 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, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Park officials later discovered the remains in the original search area using a human remains detection canine during an off-trail grid search.
    — David Chiu, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of off
Adjective
  • The fight was very dull and Ankalaev most held his way to the victory.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Without their alternate selves to tug at them, these characters would be dull, dull, dull.
    — Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • Gaethje also fell short in his second try at winning the UFC 155-pound belt, dropping a submission to Charles Oliveira for the vacant title in May 2022.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The town of Rock Springs sprouts out of a vacant landscape of sandstone cliffs and sagebrush in southern Wyoming.
    — Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of vacant
Adjective
  • 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, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2025
  • It was long thought to be an inert compound that wasn't biologically reactive and couldn't cause any problems.
    — Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
Definition of inert
Adjective
  • Another four years later, Shiffrin passed the idle Vonn in Kronplatz, scoring her 83rd win.
    — Zack Pierce, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
  • This geek will make one bit of idle speculation here: That grassland planet that’s shown here?
    — Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of idle

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Cite this Entry

“Inactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inactive. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of inactive for Spanish Speakers

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