dormant
Temporarily inactive but capable of becoming active
Examples
In a meeting
“This project has been dormant for months, but we might revive it next quarter.”
Over coffee
“My gym membership has been dormant since January.”
Why this word
inactive
Dormant implies temporary inactivity with potential to resume, while inactive just means not currently active without implying latent potential
sleeping
Dormant is more precise for biological or metaphorical states of suspended activity, while sleeping is literal or casual
idle
Dormant suggests a natural state of rest with preserved capacity, while idle implies unused or not working without biological connotation
Usage tip
Use for things that are inactive but not dead or finished. Implies potential for reactivation, unlike 'obsolete'.
Etymology
Latin: dormire (to sleep) — related to 'dormir' in French
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Related words
stagnate
Stop developing or progressing
dormancy
A state of inactivity or suspension of activity
mitigate
To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
substantiate
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of a claim.
alleviate
To make suffering, a problem, or a burden less severe.
circumvent
To find a way around an obstacle or restriction.