Definitions

inert

[in-urt, ih-nurt] / ɪnˈɜrt, ɪˈnɜrt /

ADJECTIVE

not moving; lifeless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dormant immobile impotent inactive listless motionless paralyzed passive powerless

WEAK

apathetic asleep dead down dull idle impassive inanimate indolent languid languorous lazy leaden numb phlegmatic quiescent quiet slack sleepy slothful sluggard sluggish slumberous static still stolid torpid unmoving unreactive unresponsive

Antonyms

STRONGEST

able active busy lively mobile moving potent strong

WEAK

alive animated 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.

The state investigator also requested the X-ray tests that deputies had used to wrongly determine that the two grenades were inert, according to the complaint.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Lutnick’s testimony this past week, like Bondi’s, is thus operating as a still life in what happens when the law becomes inert.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

Here, however, the paintings are inert, and the affinity one feels the artist has for his other subjects is absent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

At first glance, the moon appears lifeless and inert.

From Science Daily • Jan. 5, 2026

Nailer dragged all their possessions over to his father’s inert form.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi

Vocabulary lists containing inert

Anti-Antonyms: Words Without Opposites

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Languor Management: Synonyms for "Lazy"

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And Then There Were None

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