stagnate

UK: /stæɡˈneɪt/ | US: /ˈstæɡ.neɪt/

Definition

  1. vi. to cease flowing or moving; become stagnant

  2. vi. to become inactive or dull; stop developing

  3. vt. to cause to stagnate

Structure
stagn <standing water>ate <verb suffix>stagn <standing water>ate <verb suffix>
Etymology

The word traces back to Latin stagnare ("to form a pool of standing water"), derived from stagnum. Over time, it metaphorically expanded to describe inactivity or lack of progress in non-liquid contexts (e.g., ideas, economies). The core logic ties physical stillness to abstract inertia.

Examples

  1. The pond began to stagnate after weeks without rain.

  2. Without innovation, the company's growth will stagnate.

  3. Stagnating water can breed mosquitoes.

  4. Her career stagnated after she stopped learning new skills.

  5. The government policies inadvertently stagnated economic activity.