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quiescent

adjective
qui·​es·​cent | \ kwÄ«-ˈe-sᵊnt How to pronounce quiescent (audio) , kwÄ“-\

Definition of quiescent

1 : marked by inactivity or repose : tranquilly at rest
2 : causing no trouble or symptoms quiescent gallstones
Other Words from quiescent Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about quiescent

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Other Words from quiescent

quiescently adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for quiescent

Synonyms

dull, inactive, inert, lethargic, sleepy, sluggish, torpid

Antonyms

active

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Choose the Right Synonym for quiescent

latent, dormant, quiescent, potential mean not now showing signs of activity or existence. latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop. a latent desire for success dormant suggests the inactivity of something (such as a feeling or power) as though sleeping. their passion had lain dormant quiescent suggests a usually temporary cessation of activity. the disease was quiescent potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have. a potential disaster

Did You Know?

Quiescent won't cause you any pain, and neither will its synonyms "latent," "dormant," and "potential," at least not immediately. All four words mean "not now showing signs of activity or existence." "Latent" usually applies to something that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop, as in "a latent desire for success." "Dormant" implies a state of inactivity similar to sleep, as in "their passions lay dormant." "Potential" applies to what may or may not come to be. "A potential disaster" is a typical example. "Quiescent," which traces to the Latin quiescere (meaning "to become quiet" or "to rest"), often suggests a temporary cessation of activity, as in "a quiescent disease" or "a summer resort quiescent in wintertime."

Examples of quiescent in a Sentence

a group of quiescent loungers recovering from the Thanksgiving feast

Recent Examples on the Web

 Dan Kern, chief investment officer at TFC Financial in Boston, doesn’t see the harm in the Fed trimming rates a couple of times this year, especially with inflation quiescent. — Larry Edelman, BostonGlobe.com, "Fed puts its credibility on the line with plan to cut rates while US economy is still healthy," 30 July 2019 But such quiescent inflation also reflects the sluggishness of the expansion: Growth hasn’t been high enough to overheat the economy, which is normally what causes inflation to accelerate. — Washington Post, "Plentiful jobs but slow growth: 10 facts about the expansion," 1 July 2019 The unemployment rate is at a nearly 50-year low, and inflation — though quiescent — has at least gotten close to the central bank’s 2 percent goal. — Jeanna Smialek, BostonGlobe.com, "US economic expansion is about to set a record, but Trump says Fed ‘Blew It’," 24 June 2019 The unemployment rate is at its lowest level in nearly 50 years, and inflation — though quiescent — has at least gotten close to the central bank’s 2 percent goal. — Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, "The Economy Is About to Hit a Record. Trump Says the Fed ‘Blew It’," 24 June 2019 The researchers showed this by watching for the bright state to go quiescent for slightly longer than normal, then applying a kick at just the right moment to ensure that the atom entered the dark state. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Following Schrödinger’s cat to its death and giving it a reprieve," 5 June 2019 After huge protests, which included the front pages of normally quiescent newspapers, at his obvious framing, the authorities released him. — The Economist, "Politics this week," 14 June 2019 Slowing economic growth and quiescent inflation—the same factors that led the central bank to pause its interest-rate increases earlier this year—have left short-term and long-term interest rates at about the same level. — Dan Weil, WSJ, "The Current Allure of ‘Ultrashort’ Bond Funds," 7 Apr. 2019 But then Tories won in the UK in 2009, the Republicans swept the 2010 midterms, and the idea mostly went quiescent, at least among politicians. — David Roberts, Vox, "The Green New Deal, explained," 21 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quiescent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of quiescent

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for quiescent

borrowed from Latin quiēscent-, quiēscens, present participle of quiēscere "to repose, fall asleep, rest, be quiet," inchoative derivative of a base quiē-, going back to Indo-European *kwi̯eh1- "have a rest" — more at quiet entry 1

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More Definitions for quiescent

quiescent

adjective
How to pronounce quiescent (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of quiescent

formal : not active
medical : not now developing or causing symptoms

See the full definition for quiescent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

quiescent

adjective
qui·​es·​cent | \ -ᵊnt How to pronounce quiescent (audio) \

Medical Definition of quiescent

1 : being in a state of arrest quiescent tuberculosis
2 : causing no symptoms quiescent gallstones

More from Merriam-Webster on quiescent

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with quiescent

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for quiescent

Britannica English: Translation of quiescent for Arabic Speakers

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