cadaverous

adjective

ca·​dav·​er·​ous kə-ˈdav-rəs How to pronounce cadaverous (audio)
-ˈda-və-rəs
Synonyms of cadaverousnext
1
a
: of or relating to a corpse
the cadaverous odors of the battlefield
b
: suggestive of corpses or tombs
2
a
: pallid, livid
b
: gaunt, emaciated
grossly underweight, he appeared cadaverous, like a living skeleton
cadaverously adverb

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of cadaverous in a Sentence

A tall, cadaverous man led us into the library. everyone always looks cadaverous in the winter
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Plus, the kid isn’t dead either, as his flailing pale self that looks on the verge of the cadaverous pops out of the trunk Jack shoves him in. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2024 Moreover, keeping the cadaverous Biden in the White House is a daily reminder to the American people of the feebleness and anemia of the Democratic Party, which taints Harris by association. — Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 23 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cadaverous was in 1627

Rhymes for cadaverous

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Browse Nearby Words

cadaverine
cadaverous
cadbait
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cadaverous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cadaverous. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

cadaverous

adjective
ca·​dav·​er·​ous kə-ˈdav-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce cadaverous (audio)
: resembling a corpse: as
a
: pale entry 1 sense 1b, ghastly
b
: thin entry 1 sense 3, haggard

Medical Definition

cadaverous

adjective
ca·​dav·​er·​ous kə-ˈdav-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce cadaverous (audio)
1
: of or relating to a corpse
2
of a complexion : being pallid or livid like a corpse

More from Merriam-Webster on cadaverous

Nglish: Translation of cadaverous for Spanish Speakers

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