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Synonyms

resting

American  
[res-ting] / ˈrɛs tɪŋ /

adjective

  1. that rests; not active.

  2. Botany. dormant: applied especially to spores or seeds that germinate after a period of dormancy.


resting British  
/ ˈrɛstɪŋ /

adjective

  1. not moving or working; at rest

  2. euphemistic (of an actor) out of work

  3. (esp of plant spores) undergoing a period of dormancy before germination

  4. (of cells) not undergoing mitosis

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of resting

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at rest 1, -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Researchers used historical records and weather data from the time of the crash to identify the 10 square nautical miles of Atlantic Ocean seabed where the wreckage was likely resting.

From BBC Jul. 22, 2026

Using a car comparison, the researchers were effectively testing whether the brain's engine continued to run at an unusually high speed even while the animals were resting.

From Science Daily Jul. 20, 2026

While Nolan might not be resting easy, he told the Guardian that he plans to take a break now that “The Odyssey” is out in the world.

From Salon Jul. 19, 2026

When the earthquake struck, Roa was resting at home in Caracas.

From Barron's Jul. 4, 2026

Chica was resting on the damp sand watching the tide go out.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr

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