latent

[leyt-nt] / ˈleɪt nt /

ADJECTIVE

dormant, hidden

Synonyms

STRONGEST

inherent lurking smoldering suppressed underlying unrealized veiled

WEAK

abeyant between the lines concealed contained covert idle immature implied in abeyance inactive inert inferential inferred inoperative intrinsic invisible involved passive possible potential quiescent rudimentary secret sleeping suspended tacit torpid underdeveloped undeveloped unexposed unexpressed unripe unseen vestigial

Antonyms

WEAK

active apparent clear live manifest obvious open public

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.

Patients may be exposed to EBV through donor organs that carry a latent form of the virus.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

She wants to show how there’s latent wisdom to the rule that was incorporated into this history.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Such clout also made Zhang a potential alternate power center to Xi, who has routinely neutered even latent threats to his dominance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

But Yoon also tapped into pre-existing anxieties and grievances, especially among young men, activating a latent undercurrent of discontent and driving it to the surface.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

The only physical evidence to implicate Joe was a latent partial palm-print that the state's examiner testified matched him.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Vocabulary lists containing latent

"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)

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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 3

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ACT Vocabulary List

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