fossilise

/ˈfɑsəlaɪz/
verb
  1. To become a fossil; to preserve the remains of a plant or animal as a fossil.
    • Scientists study how bones fossilise over millions of years.
    • Most organisms do not fossilise because they decay too quickly.
    • The wood began to fossilise after being buried under layers of mud.
  2. To become fixed, outdated, or unable to change (often used figuratively).
    • His opinions had fossilised over the years, and he refused to listen to others.
    • The language rules started to fossilise, resisting any modern updates.
    • Without new ideas, the company's thinking began to fossilise.
Antonyms
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