1
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
the inert, abandoned factories that are scattered all over that dying city
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2
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
a sleepy, inert reptile that is no threat to people when left alone
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inert
The Monkey continues Perkins’ brand of glossy, inert horror with the kind of cinematography and blocking that calls the wrong kind of attention to itself.
—
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2025
Boston Metal The key to the success of the recent test that led to the creation of a ton of molten metal is Boston Metal's inert anode which can drive the electrical process in the reactor without degrading.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2025
Melena flags a hand limply at her older daughter as Nanny hoists Nessa onto the edge of the cot, where the girl lies, inert and cringing, in the lee of the tumulus that Melena has become.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 5 Mar. 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
See All Example Sentences for inert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inert
Adjective
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While her blood was found inside the vehicle, there was no other trace of her and her bank accounts remained dormant.—
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For a true super bloom to occur, a high proportion of seeds that have remained dormant and built up in soil over several years must bloom at once.—
Adjective
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It is situated next to a sleepy mobile home park, some single-family home neighborhoods and the park.—
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This delicious sleep aid comes in five different flavors: mint chocolate, hot cocoa, cinnamon chai, sleepy berry and rose.—
Adjective
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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.—
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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.—
Adjective
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Miracle leave-in product: on sale for $28 (30% off) Original price: $40 (Ulta) Dealing with dull or damaged hair?—
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No race including Bianco or Jenner should ever be dull, though, and this one likely won’t be either.—
Adjective
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Two other seats were left vacant when Democratic lawmakers died.—
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Council members March 25 voted unanimously to rezone a vacant property on the west side of Montgomery for high-intensity mixed-use development, a designation allowing combinations of apartments, hotels and retail spaces.—
Adjective
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The Gene Simmons Band went on hiatus in the fall of 2018 and remained inactive until last April.—
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One small study was conducted in humans with obesity who received ACV for 12 weeks and followed a low-calorie diet compared to a group taking a placebo (inactive treatment given to people in a study control group).—
Adjective
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But at the end of 2020, another 230,000 wells were idle.—
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These were a big 4 points for the Wild in the last two games, moving them 8 points ahead of the St. Louis Blues, who were idle and are in ninth place in the Western Conference.—
Adjective
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Those huge currents disturb Earth's normally quiescent magnetic field, which in turn induces surges of current in electrical, telecommunications, and other networks across entire continents.—
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Prussians’ true sentiments might’ve been more clearly displayed by the lack of a popular groundswell of opposition to Bismarck and the king’s extralegal actions; the people remained quiescent and continued to pay their taxes without complaint.—
Cite this Entry
“Inert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inert. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
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