inactive

adjective

in·​ac·​tive (ˌ)i-ˈnak-tiv How to pronounce inactive (audio)
: not active: such as
a(1)
b(1)
: being out of use
(2)
: relating to or being members of the armed forces who are not performing or available for military duties
(3)
of a disease : quiescent
c(1)
: chemically inert
(2)
: optically neutral in polarized light
d
: biologically inert especially because of the loss of some quality (such as infectivity or antigenicity)
inactively adverb
inactivity noun
Choose the Right Synonym for inactive

inactive, idle, inert, passive, supine 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

idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements.

workers were idle in the fields

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

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

supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence.

a supine willingness to play the fool

Examples of inactive in a Sentence

Inactive people suffer higher rates of heart disease. it's easiest to catch snakes early in the morning, while they're still cold and inactive
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Waddle missed all three practices this week, signaling his game status was likely going to be inactive. Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024 According to an Illinois Auditor General report, it was found that over 100 state boards in Illinois were inactive, and 28% of active boards failed to meet the minimum number of times. Catrina Barker | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Dec. 2024 Desmond Ridder will start at quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons with Aidan O’Connell inactive and designated as the team’s emergency third quarterback. Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 Texas Uranium Ted Long, a former commissioner of Goliad County, can see the power lines of an inactive uranium mine from his porch on an old family ranch in the rolling golden savannah of South Texas. Dylan Baddour, WIRED, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inactive 

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inactive was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near inactive

Cite this Entry

“Inactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inactive. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

inactive

adjective
in·​ac·​tive (ˈ)in-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce inactive (audio)
: not active: as
a
: slow to move or act : sluggish
b
: being out of use or activity
an inactive mine
an inactive volcano
c
: inert
argon is chemically inactive
inactively adverb

Medical Definition

inactive

adjective
in·​ac·​tive (ˈ)in-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce inactive (audio)
: not active: as
a
: marked by deliberate or enforced absence of activity or effort
forced by illness to lead an inactive life
b
of a disease : not progressing or fulminant : quiescent
c(1)
: chemically inert
inactive charcoal
(2)
: not exhibiting optical activity in polarized light
d
: biologically inert especially because of the loss of some quality (as infectivity or antigenicity)
inactivity noun
plural inactivities

More from Merriam-Webster on inactive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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