1
: lacking the power to move
2
: very slow to move or act : sluggish
3
: deficient in active properties
especially
: lacking a usual or anticipated chemical or biological action
inert
noun
inertly
adverb
inertness
noun
Examples of inert in a Sentence
an inert and lifeless body
How does he propose to stimulate the inert economy and create jobs?
Recent Examples on the Web
Released in 1938 and technically known as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the chemically inert, synthetic polymer is most famous for providing impressively nonstick coatings on cookware and other surfaces.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
The success of the The Black Phone 2 bodes well not just for horror, but for original ideas in a production landscape increasingly dominated by reboots, remakes, and adaptations of existing IP — any IP, an even inert children's toy.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Reports revealed that there was also a sigh of relief from those who had feared federal officials might be planning a last-minute retreat from the technique known as vitrification, in which waste is mixed with molten silicate and other materials to create inert glass logs.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Robots aren’t just inert piles of plastic and metal anymore, but are growing into teachers, co-workers, and health companions.
—Jan Liphardt, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inert
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Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
The success of the The Black Phone 2 bodes well not just for horror, but for original ideas in a production landscape increasingly dominated by reboots, remakes, and adaptations of existing IP — any IP, an even inert children's toy.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Reports revealed that there was also a sigh of relief from those who had feared federal officials might be planning a last-minute retreat from the technique known as vitrification, in which waste is mixed with molten silicate and other materials to create inert glass logs.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Robots aren’t just inert piles of plastic and metal anymore, but are growing into teachers, co-workers, and health companions.
—Jan Liphardt, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inert
Cite this Entry
“Inert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inert. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inert
adjective
in·ert
in-ˈərt 
: unable or slow to move, act, or react
inert ingredients in cough medicine
inert gas
inertly
adverb
inertness
noun
Medical Definition
inert
adjective
in·ert
in-ˈərt
1
: lacking the power to move
2
: deficient in active properties
especially
: lacking a usual or anticipated chemical or biological action
an inert drug
inertness
noun
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