inertia
resistance to change / physical inactivity
[U] Uncountable
This term carries a dual identity, shifting from a neutral scientific description of mass to a pejorative critique of human or institutional behavior. In physics, it describes a passive property of matter, whereas in social or political contexts, it suggests a frustrating stagnation or a stubborn refusal to adapt to new circumstances.
Used as a singular mass noun to describe the physical property of matter or the psychological state of inactivity.
Meanings
Examples
The heavy boulder had too much inertia to be moved by hand.
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The company suffered from organizational inertia and failed to innovate.
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Related Words
stasispassivityidlenesssluggishnessinactivityactivityenergydynamismvitalitymomentummassphysicsvelocityaccelerationforcemotionfrictiongravityequilibriumstagnationlethargyapathyresistancestabilitytorquekineticsdynamicslawvectordisplacementweightdensityvacuumcentrifugalcentripetaloscillationflywheeldormancytorporslothcomplacencyhabitroutinetraditionbureaucracystagnatepersistremainstationaryimmobilefixedrigidstaticconstantsteadybalancekinetic energypotential energyworkpowerimpulsefrictionlessviscositydragthrust