inertia
A physics textbook shows a diagram of a soccer ball resting on grass, with an arrow labeled "inertia" pointing from it.
- Noun:
- (Physics) The tendency of a body to maintain its state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force. This is a fundamental property of matter described by Newton's first law of motion.
- A tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged; a lack of activity or movement. This figurative sense describes a psychological or behavioral resistance to change or action.
Physics Context:
- The inertia of the large ship made it difficult to stop quickly.
- An object in space will continue moving due to inertia unless a force slows it down.
Figurative/Behavioral Context:
- Bureaucratic inertia often delays important projects.
- She felt a sense of inertia after the long holiday and struggled to start working.
"Moment of inertia": (Physics) A measure of a body's resistance to angular acceleration about a given axis. It depends on the mass distribution relative to the axis.
- The moment of inertia of a flywheel allows it to store rotational energy.
"Overcome inertia": To force oneself or something to start moving or changing after a period of inactivity.
- The new manager's energy helped the team overcome its inertia.
"Inertia selling": (Commerce) The unethical practice of sending unrequested goods to a person and then demanding payment.
- Be wary of inertia selling schemes.
Inert (adj): Lacking the ability or strength to move; or chemically inactive.
- The patient lay inert on the bed.
- Helium is an inert gas.
Inertial (adj): Relating to or arising from inertia.
- The spacecraft uses inertial guidance systems.
- Physics: Inactivity (in a specific scientific sense), momentum (when in motion).
- Figurative: Apathy, lethargy, inactivity, stagnation, torpor, idleness.
- Physics: Responsiveness.
- Figurative: Activity, energy, movement, action, liveliness.
"Force of inertia": Often used to emphasize the powerful, passive resistance to change.
- The force of institutional inertia prevented the adoption of new methods.
"Succumb to inertia": To give in to the feeling of not wanting to act or move.
- On rainy Sundays, I often succumb to inertia and stay in bed all day.
A physics textbook shows a diagram of a soccer ball resting on grass, with an arrow labeled "inertia" pointing from it.
- (physics) the tendency of a body to maintain its state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force
- a disposition to remain inactive or inert
- he had to overcome his inertia and get back to work