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

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 additional cases of latent TB have been identified in people within the school community.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

The long latent period of most cancers is the time required for the infinite number of cell divisions during which fermentation is gradually increasing after the initial damage to respiration.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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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