inertia

noun

(physics, uncountable or countable) The property of a body that resists any change to its uniform motion; equivalent to its mass.

(figuratively) In a person, unwillingness to take action.

(medicine) Lack of activity; sluggishness; said especially of the uterus, when, in labour, its contractions have nearly or wholly ceased.

Roots

arsert- · Latin · skill, art

Words related to inertia

inertialadj torporificadj accidie lethargyn momentumn gravitationn torpidityn inanitionn unresponsivenessn acedian hebetuden inertadj gravityn inefficiencyn ennuin

Synonyms & related words for inertia

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of inertia — including inactiveness, inactivity, inertness, apathy, inaction, indolence. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to inertia

Explore words related to inertia — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include inertial, torporific, accidie, lethargy, momentum, gravitation, torpidity, inanition. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for inertia

Common synonyms for inertia include inactiveness, inactivity, inertness, apathy, inaction, indolence, sluggishness, laziness — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does inertia come from?

The word inertia breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root ert-, from Latin ars (“skill, art”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.