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stagnant meaning and examples

2025-08-24

Meaning

Stagnant means not moving, developing, or growing. It is often used to describe still water with no flow, or a situation (such as an economy or career) that shows no progress.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Adjective

  • Describes both physical states (water, air) and abstract situations (business, economy, career).

  • Common patterns:

    • stagnant water
    • a stagnant economy
    • His career became stagnant.

Common Phrases

  • Stagnant water
  • Stagnant economy
  • Stagnant growth
  • Remain stagnant
  • Career is stagnant

Collocations

  • Adjective + Noun: stagnant pool, stagnant career, stagnant air
  • Verb + Adjective: remain stagnant, become stagnant, feel stagnant
  • Adverb + Adjective: economically stagnant, completely stagnant, very stagnant

Examples

  1. The pond was full of stagnant water and mosquitoes.
  2. The company’s growth has been stagnant for years.
  3. His career became stagnant after the promotion freeze.
  4. The air in the closed room felt stagnant.
  5. Without new ideas, the project remained stagnant.
  6. The economy has been stagnant due to low investment.
  7. She felt her life was stagnant and wanted a change.
  8. The river’s flow was blocked, leaving the water stagnant.
  • Still
  • Motionless
  • Inactive
  • Dormant
  • Sluggish