stagnant
2 synonyms and 5 antonyms for stagnant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not flowing or moving, and therefore often stale or unhealthy — usually said of water.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Not flowing or moving, and therefore often stale or unhealthy — usually said of water.
“Mosquitoes bred in the stagnant pond behind the house.”
Opposites
How to use stagnant
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
stagnant water
stagnant economy
stagnant wages
Etymology
From Latin stagnans, "forming standing water," from stagnum, a pool.
Full origin of stagnant →Frequently asked questions
What does “stagnant” mean?
The word “stagnant” means not flowing or moving, and therefore often stale or unhealthy — usually said of water. In plain terms, not moving or not improving — used for both still water and stalled progress.
How do you pronounce “stagnant”?
“Stagnant” is pronounced STAG-nuhnt (/ˈstæɡnənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “stagnant” in a sentence?
Here is “stagnant” used in a sentence: “Mosquitoes bred in the stagnant pond behind the house.”
What part of speech is “stagnant”?
“Stagnant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “stagnant” come from?
The word “stagnant” comes from Latin. From Latin stagnans, "forming standing water," from stagnum, a pool.
Is “stagnant” a common word?
“Stagnant” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “stagnant” have?
“Stagnant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not flowing or moving, and therefore often stale or unhealthy — usually said of water.
