Definitions

inactive

[in-ak-tiv] / ɪnˈæk tɪv /

ADJECTIVE

not engaged in action; inert, lazy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dormant dull idle immobile inoperative jobless passive sedentary sluggish static unemployed unused

WEAK

abeyant asleep blah dead disengaged do-nothing down draggy in holding pattern indolent latent lax lethargic limp low-key mothballed motionless on hold ossified out of action out of commission out of service out of work quiescent quiet slack sleepy slothful slow somnolent stable still torpid unoccupied

Antonyms

STRONGEST

active employed energetic lively mobile moving used

WEAK

busy involved working

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.

Settebello's location tracker has been inactive since 31 May, data on ship-tracking website MarineTraffic shows, so it is not clear where the vessel was when it was hit.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

“We have these inactive lines still available because there is a reasonable chance we’re going to use them in the future,” Shinjini Menon, Edison’s senior vice president of system planning and engineering, said then.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

The researchers found that the inactive version accumulates in large amounts in the brains of people with dementia.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

According to the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics, around one in three people aged 16 to 64 are "economically inactive" - unemployed and not currently seeking work - in several communities.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

He found a monkey whose eyes had a dull appearance, not shiny and bright but glazed and somewhat inactive.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

Vocabulary lists containing inactive

Physical Education - Introductory

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Just Do It: Act

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Physical Education - Middle School and High School

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