inactive

adjective

in·​ac·​tive (ˌ)i-ˈnak-tiv How to pronounce inactive (audio)
Synonyms of inactivenext
: not active: such as
a(1)
: sedentary
(2)
: indolent, sluggish
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
(ˌ)i-ˌnak-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce inactive (audio)
noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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.
The Alarm was inactive for most of that decade before regrouping and continuing to record and tour. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025 In March 1984 Lonoke bought the inactive depot on behalf of the society. — Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2025 Today’s whooping cough vaccines contain an acellular pertussis component, which is derived from inactive parts of the bacterium that causes whooping cough, Bordetella pertussis, per CDC. — Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025 The proceedings were halted after the attorney’s status as a lawyer was rendered inactive due to an unspecified illness. — Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025 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

Rhymes for inactive

See All Rhymes for inactive

Browse Nearby Words

inactivate
inactive
inactiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Inactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inactive. Accessed 12 May. 2025.

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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
(ˌ)in-ˌak-ˈtiv-ət-ē How to pronounce inactive (audio)
noun
plural inactivities

More from Merriam-Webster on inactive

Nglish: Translation of inactive for Spanish Speakers

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