inertia Definition
- 1a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged
- 2a property of matter by which it continues in its existing state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line, unless that state is changed by an external force
Using inertia: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "inertia" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The company's inertia prevented it from adapting to the changing market.
Example
The car's inertia kept it moving forward even after the driver hit the brakes.
Example
The country's political system was characterized by inertia and resistance to change.
inertia Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for inertia
Phrases with inertia
Example
The moment of inertia of a figure skater decreases as they pull their arms closer to their body.
a sales technique in which a product is marketed as a subscription service that automatically renews unless the customer cancels
Example
The company used inertia selling to boost its revenue by signing up customers for subscriptions they didn't really want.
the tendency of a culture to resist change and maintain traditional ways of thinking and behaving
Example
The cultural inertia of the society made it difficult for new ideas to gain acceptance.
Origins of inertia
from Latin 'iners', meaning 'idle'
Summary: inertia in Brief
The term 'inertia' [ɪˈnəːʃə] refers to a tendency to remain unchanged or to do nothing. It can also refer to a property of matter that causes it to continue in its existing state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. Examples of its use include 'The company's inertia prevented it from adapting to the changing market.' and 'The car's inertia kept it moving forward even after the driver hit the brakes.'