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.

Randolph is in the process of revamping the former BuzzFeed channels, which still have around 40 million followers on Facebook, YouTube and other social media sites, but have remained largely inactive for years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Unemployment rates, which stood at 29% for 16 to 17-year-olds during the period, include people actively looking for work, unlike the number of economically inactive.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

In a separate post after the markets closed, Trump said the U.S. had destroyed 10 inactive mine-laying boats, “with more to follow.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

The protein needed to switch cleanly between active and inactive states for the cell to survive.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 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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