Inert

//ɪnˈɝt// adj, noun, verb

adj, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A substance that does not react chemically.
Verb
  1. 1
    To fill with an inert gas to reduce the risk of explosion.
Adjective
  1. 1
    Unable to move or act; inanimate.

    ""As for the other forms of magic, previous systems of magic are now accessible if one knows how to do so, though no human alive should know how. This does mean some magical objects and wands rendered inert by previous changes will work again.""

  2. 2
    Sluggish or lethargic.
  3. 3
    Not readily reacting with other elements or compounds.
  4. 4
    Having no therapeutic action.
Adjective
  1. 1
    slow and apathetic wordnet
  2. 2
    unable to move or resist motion wordnet
  3. 3
    having only a limited ability to react chemically; chemically inactive wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
sluggishidlelanguidslowtorpidabeyant

Example

More examples

"I sprang to my feet, my inert hand grasping my pistol, my mind paralyzed by the dreadful shape which had sprung out upon us from the shadows of the fog."

Etymology

From French inerte, from Latin iners (“inactive, inert”).

Related phrases

anti-inert-neutrinoinert antineutrinoinert gasinert neutrinoinert pair effectpractico-inertnoble gas

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.