moribund
adjective
mor·i·bund
ˈmȯr-ə-(ˌ)bənd 
ˈmär-
1
: being in the state of dying : approaching death
in the moribund patient deepening stupor and coma are the usual preludes to death—
Norman Cameron
Norman Cameron2
: being in a state of inactivity or obsolescence
a moribund virus
a moribund volcano
prune the moribund files from your disk forever—D. S. Janal
D. S. Janal
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Moribund Gets Less Literal
Moribund is still sometimes used in its original literal sense of "approaching death", but it's much more often used to describe things. When the economy goes bad, we hear about moribund mills and factories and towns; the economy itself may even be called moribund. Critics may speak of the moribund state of poetry, or lament the moribund record or newspaper industry.
Examples of moribund in a Sentence
an actor who is trying to revive his moribund career
The peace talks are moribund.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Republicans took control of Congress after their decisive victories that November, and the domestic agenda was moribund, replaced by a zeal for budget cutting.
—Jonathan Weisman, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
Sheed’s novel has warmth, too, and plenty of wisdom about finding meaning in life and how to face middle age among moribund institutions.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 2 Sep. 2024
Davie’s intrepid owners have a solid record of reviving moribund industrial waterfront.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Few other states in the region seem very sorry at the reverses inflicted on the moribund regime of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
—Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for moribund 
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Jonathan Weisman, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
Sheed’s novel has warmth, too, and plenty of wisdom about finding meaning in life and how to face middle age among moribund institutions.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 2 Sep. 2024
Davie’s intrepid owners have a solid record of reviving moribund industrial waterfront.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Few other states in the region seem very sorry at the reverses inflicted on the moribund regime of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
—Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for moribund
Dictionary Entries Near moribund
Cite this Entry
“Moribund.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moribund. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
moribund
adjective
mor·i·bund
ˈmȯr-ə-(ˌ)bənd
ˈmär-
: nearly dead
Medical Definition
moribund
adjective
mor·i·bund
ˈmȯr-ə-(ˌ)bənd, ˈmär-
: being in the state of dying : approaching death
in the moribund patient deepening stupor and coma are the usual preludes to death—Norman Cameron
Norman CameronLove words? Need even more definitions?
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