inert
Americanadjective
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having no inherent power of action, motion, or resistance (opposed to active).
inert matter.
- Synonyms:
- motionless, lifeless, unmoving, immobile
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Chemistry. having little or no ability to react, as nitrogen that occurs uncombined in the atmosphere.
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Pharmacology. having no pharmacological action, as the excipient of a pill.
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inactive or sluggish by habit or nature.
adjective
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having no inherent ability to move or to resist motion
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inactive, lazy, or sluggish
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having only a limited ability to react chemically; unreactive
Synonym Usage
See inactive.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of inert
First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin inert- (stem of iners ) “unskillful,” equivalent to in- in- 3 + -ert-, combining form of art- (stem of ars ) “skill”; see art 1
Explanation
Something that's unable to move or moving without much energy can be described as inert. Wind up in a body cast and you’ll find yourself not only itchy, but totally inert. When motion is restricted or sluggish, or when something or someone appears lifeless, the adjective to use is inert. A dog who's playing dead is inert, as is a really boring movie. Or for those of you paying attention in chemistry class, you may have heard of inert gases — those elements that won't react with other elements or form chemical compounds.
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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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.
Inert, cookie-cutter industrial products were a trait of post-World War II America.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2018
Held at the FA’s Lancaster Gate offices, it was conducted by the FA’s chairman, Sir Bert Millichip, later to be dubbed by Brian Glanville as Bert the Inert.
From The Guardian • Jul. 23, 2017
Inert gas was used and when that had no effect on the crowd, police used tear gas to clear the intersection, Dotson said.
From Salon • Aug. 20, 2015
Inert gas was used and when that had no effect on the crowd, police turned to tear gas to clear the intersection, Dotson said.
From Washington Times • Aug. 20, 2015
Inert and musing, he wandered at random through the lights and shadows of the city streets, with a wistful look in his eyes and just the shadow of a pang in his heart.
From Amarilly of Clothes-line Alley by Maniates, Belle Kanaris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
