be inert
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A pack of cards made up exclusively of jokers would be useless, just as a society that devalues the individual would be inert.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
"Various Second World War-era unexploded ordnance items were discovered as a result of the wildfires, which the EOD operator declared to be inert practice projectiles. They were retrieved for subsequent disposal," he explained.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2025
Elements of the larger, intact missile, such as the warhead, were missing and the authorities deemed the piece to be inert and safe, the police said in a news release on Friday.
From New York Times ● Feb. 4, 2024
They theorized that sodium's core electrons, thought to be inert, would interact with each other and the outer valence electrons when under extreme pressure.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 29, 2023
The German confederation of the Congress of Vienna was a skilful invention of Metternich's, so devised as to be inert for offence, but extremely efficient against French aggression.
From The Life of William Ewart Gladstone (Vol 2 of 3) by John Morley
