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inactive

inactive

16 3.0
Not taking part in an activity, job, or group
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈæktɪv/
translation icon : inactivo
  • The company has marked those employees as inactive who have not worked for over six months.
  • active and inactive
  • an inactive group

Twitter had announced that early December they were going to start removing inactive accounts.

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Examples

  • Young people are increasingly overweight and inactive and favor fast foods grown and produced in distant lands.

    Academic text (2004)
  • But the majority of American citizens are inactive insofar as putting into practice those fine ideals.

    Academic text (1992)
  • This man became inactive on the website.

  • Dad went inactive a few years ago.

  • I thought you were on the inactive roster.

  • We regret that your file will be placed in the inactive list.

  • Twitter had announced that early December they were going to start removing inactive accounts.

  • In most of the South Asian countries, they are viewed as economically inactive citizens.

  • Now, of those who are economically inactive, fully half say they have depression or anxiety.

  • How long have you been inactive in the church, Mr. Shannon?

Synonyms

idle
vsinactive
57 2.8

Not working or being used

is about not taking part in group or job activities rather than being unused
dormant
vsinactive
34 5.2

Not active now but able to become active later

does not emphasize temporary status or guaranteed future return
uninvolved
vsinactive
5 4.5

Not taking part in an activity or situation

is used broadly for absence across many contexts including jobs and groups
disengaged
vsinactive
1 4.7

Not involved or interested in something and not paying attention

describes absence from activities or roles rather than emotional detachment
unengaged
vsinactive
1 4.4

Not busy and able to help with other tasks

refers to not taking part in group or job matters rather than being free
nonactive
vsinactive
3.7

Is not working or taking part now

is the same idea expressed by the standard everyday adjective
nonparticipating
vsinactive
5.1

Not taking part in an activity or event

is broader covering absence from jobs groups and general involvement
noninvolved
vsinactive
5.5

Not taking part in something, for example a meeting or argument

applies more broadly across jobs groups and general activities
nonoperational
vsinactive
  • Jargon
6.9

Not taking part in military actions

is the general term for absence in any job or group situation

Antonyms

664 1.0

Operating now and not stopped

3.4

Giving full attention to an activity or idea

How Active

active
8 5.6
engaged
3.4
involved
79 3.5
inactive
16 3.0
passive
111 3.9
uninvolved
5 4.5
to absent
9 6.8

Surface Forms

inactive positive

Morphology

inactive = active (transparent) = in + act + ive

This is a standard negating prefix attached to 'active', giving the clear meaning 'not currently active or involved'.

Etymology

Inactive comes from in- 'not' plus active 'taking part' (the same act in 'action'). So an inactive member is someone who is 'not taking part' or not involved at the moment.