stagnant

American  

[stag-nuhnt] / ˈstæg nənt /

adjective

1. not flowing or running, as water, air, etc.

2. stale or foul from standing, as a pool of water.

3. characterized by lack of development, advancement, or progressive movement.

   a stagnant economy.

4. inactive, sluggish, or dull.

   Synonyms:

   lazy, inert, dead, lifeless, dormant

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stagnant British  

/ ˈstæɡnənt /

adjective

1. (of water, etc) standing still; without flow or current

2. brackish and foul from standing still

3. stale, sluggish, or dull from inaction

4. not growing or developing; static

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Other Word Forms

• stagnance noun
• stagnancy noun
• stagnantly adverb
• unstagnant adjective
• unstagnantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of stagnant

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin stāgnant-, stem of stāgnāns “forming a pool,” present participle of stāgnāre “to form a pool of standing water, be inundated”; stagnate

Example Sentences

These large declines were not seen in the rest of the country, where the number of private sector workers remained stagnant most months or saw slight increases.

From Los Angeles Times

With gross domestic product per capita on par with Japan and a stagnant population, South Korea’s tigerish growth days are behind it.

From Barron's

A prolonged period of stagnant price action has raised worries of a “crypto winter” that could keep prices low in 2026.

From Barron's

But, for Anglesey, the decade since has been characterised by job losses, stagnant investment and an economy still trying to replace one of the island's largest employers.

From BBC

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies were falling Monday as digital assets continued a period of stagnant trading—but there may be more than meets the eye in this quiet patch for cryptos.

From Barron's

Related Words

• dormant
• idle
• inactive
• lifeless
• listless
• sluggish
• static
• stationary