lie dormant
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.
It is an ideal fuel for buried embers, which can lie dormant until favourable conditions, such as wind and dry weather, allow them to reignite in broad daylight.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
Unlike police drones dispatched after a 911 call, Mithril’s machines lie dormant in ceiling-mounted boxes, charging until a threat arrives.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026
Routine screening is vital in catching latent TB, which can lie dormant in the body for decades.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2026
Hidden inside was a piece of malicious software that would lie dormant in the council's network until it was activated remotely.
From BBC ● May 18, 2025
The pupa hardens into a weather-resistant package that can lie dormant for weeks or months.
From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman
