inert Hear it!

inert Definition

in·ert (in ʉrt′)

adjective

  1. having inertia; without power to move, act, or resist
  2. tending to be physically or mentally inactive; dull; slow
  3. having or exhibiting little or no activity, esp. chemical activity inert matter in a fertilizer, an inert gas

Etymology: L iners, without skill or art, idle < in-, not + ars (gen. artis), skill, art)

inert Related Forms
in·ert′ly adverb in·ert′·ness noun
inert Synonyms

inert

modif.

still, dormant, inactive; see idle 1.

inert Usage Examples

Preposition: in

  • body: Much of the previous work in this area was directed toward producing materials which remained passive and inert in the body.
  • atmosphere: CO2, while more inert in the atmosphere, becomes highly reactive in oceans, leading to physical, biological, and geological changes.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • render: Plot hole: Slater decides to render the nuke inert by punching in the wrong code three times.

Modifies a noun

  • gas: Anglian's unique gas sealed units, with their blend of inert gases, can dramatically cut heat loss by up to 15 percent.
  • filler: Injection of the tablet form can lead to blockage of veins by the inert fillers in the formulation.
  • landfill: Some of the older inert landfills, which pose little risk and are being developed for commercial and industrial use.
  • atmosphere: The key to inert atmosphere soldering is really the ability to solder in the absence of oxygen.
  • waste: The license permitted the storage of 15,000 tons of inert waste in certain areas of the site.
  • substance: They are thought to be made of inert substances designed to have no effect.

Modifying Another Word

  • chemically: Like H 2 O, CO 2 is a chemically inert molecule.
  • physiologically: Food contact: being physiologically inert, it is suitable for food contact.
  • causally: Such entities would seem to be causally inert, some philosophers will say.
  • biologically: Any remaining matter is composted to reduce its bulk and make it biologically inert.
  • relatively: Urea is a relatively inert substance compared with ammonia.
  • totally: A microchip is a tiny, totally inert electronic transponder about the size of a grain of rice.

Used with adjective complement

  • lie: In the occupied area the whole of heavy industry lay inert because of passive resistance.
  • remain: Christ have mercy For the times we could have turned love into a reality but remained inert... .
  • become: Now many people say that if you do this you will become inert.
  • sit: Some are dense and will sit inert on the bottom.
  • seem: Sephar says " It seems inert for the moment, Sir.