latent
adjective
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Definition of latent
(Entry 1 of 2)
latent
noun
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Definition of latent (Entry 2 of 2)
— called also latent fingerprint, latent print
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Synonyms & Antonyms for latent
Synonyms: Adjective
dead, dormant, fallow, free, idle, inactive, inert, inoperative, off, unused, vacant
Antonyms: Adjective
active, alive, busy, employed, functioning, going, living, on, operating, operative, running, working
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Examples of latent in a Sentence
Adjective
On the ground in Afghanistan there is some latent, if wary, gratitude for American aid over the years, but no one expects to build a foundation for the Taliban's downfall on a couple of million rice cakes. — Michael Duffy, Time, 15 Oct. 2001 There were such inexhaustible possibilities still before her, such opportunities to bring out the latent graces of the old place, without a single irreverent touch of alteration, that the winter months were all too short to plan what spring and autumn executed. — Edith Wharton, Afterward, 1910 Calm, gentle, passionless, as he appeared, there was yet, we fear, a quiet depth of malice, hitherto latent, but active now, in this unfortunate old man, which led him to imagine a more intimate revenge than any mortal had ever wreaked upon an enemy. — Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850 he has a latent talent for acting that he hasn't had a chance to express yet
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
As in Kingâs 1980 blockbuster, a shady government organization experiments on humans, essentially exposing and amplifying latent psychic powers. — Clea Simon, BostonGlobe.com, "Stephen King summons his superpowers with âTbe Instituteâ," 5 Sep. 2019 Myersâ latent power is his best trait, but thatâs less valuable in a San Diego lineup loaded with plenty of thump. — Michael Shapiro, SI.com, "Wil Myers is the Odd Man Out in San Diego and Fantasy Leagues," 27 June 2019 After an infection, the varicella virus remains latent in nerve roots and can reactivate to cause shingles, which typically strikes decades later and can cause severe long-term nerve pain or vision loss. — Tara Haelle, Scientific American, "Two-for-One: Chickenpox Vaccine Lowers Shingles Risk in Children," 11 June 2019 My mother catered to Noosieâs every whim, speaking to her in Arabic baby talk, and her anticipation for grandchildren became less latent. — Marlo Safi, National Review, "The American Art of Obsessing over Your Pets," 24 Aug. 2019 Pujols had drawn a walk and showed off some latent speed by stealing second base. — Maria Torres, Los Angeles Times, "Fast-starting Angels fall to Rangers in the 11th after giving up a six-run lead," 19 Aug. 2019 Detectives responded to the location and processed the victims truck locating latent fingerprints. — Houston Chronicle, "Memorial Villages Police Department weekly report," 5 Aug. 2019 The contents of your inbox would change from messages to latent resources, offers, and invitations. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, "Work Ruined Email," 2 Aug. 2019 Trumpâs hate mongering and stoking latent racial prejudice is fomenting fears, opening old wounds, jingoistic divisions and social conflicts. — Henry A. J. Ramos, The Mercury News, "Opinion: Trump is laying the seeds for a new Osama bin Laden," 31 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Wilentz details how, particularly in the Missouri crisis and the Dred Scott decision, the ambiguity latent in those compromises was wielded by both pro- and anti-slavery voices alike in pursuit of their ends. — John Hirschauer, National Review, "What a Princeton Historianâs Critics Get Wrong about the Constitution and Slavery," 27 Aug. 2019 Today, the wisdom latent in Andersâs words is obvious. — Washington Post, "The most stirring photo from the Apollo mission wasnât of the moon. It was of the Earth.," 17 July 2019 Barack Obamaâs victory, the visible symbol of a changing America that no voter could ignore, took all of these latent divides and turbocharged them. — Zack Beauchamp, Vox, "The 9 thinkers who made sense of 2018âs chaos," 27 Dec. 2018 Obamaâs victory, the visible symbol of a changing America that no voter could ignore, took all of these latent divides and turbocharged them. — Zack Beauchamp, Vox, "The midterm elections revealed that America is in a cold civil war," 7 Nov. 2018 There is nothing as intoxicating as possibility, and the promise latent in every beauty consumable, no matter how tackily packaged or how ludicrous its claims, is matched only by the near guarantee of equivalent disappointment. — Charlotte Shane, The Cut, "I Think About This a Lot: Emily Weissâs Wedding Prep Routine," 3 Apr. 2018 Most of those deposits are cash, taken off the streets and thereby reducing the latent, associated threat of robbery â a threat not just to those working in the industry but also to the ordinary people around them. — Robb Mandelbaum, New York Times, "Where Pot Entrepreneurs Go When the Banks Just Say No," 4 Jan. 2018 Instead, the characters in this play learn to love one another, traveling into the light and finding their way to the meaning of God through the latent divine spark within each of us. — Mike Fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Funny nativity play captures humble spirit of Christmas," 16 Dec. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'latent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for latent
latent
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of latent
See the full definition for latent in the English Language Learners Dictionary