comatose

adjective

co·​ma·​tose ˈkō-mə-ˌtōs  ˈkä- 

1

: of, resembling, or affected with coma

The patient lay comatose, sustained by respirators.

2

: characterized by lethargic inertness : torpid

a comatose economy

Broadway was theatrically comatose that summer.

Synonyms of comatose

• slow
• sleepy
• dead

Examples of comatose in a Sentence

She lay in a comatose state.

the city's downtown has been comatose for years

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, his house is in an almost cartoonish state of disrepair and falling down around him, while his attempts to upgrade his furniture leads him to buy a shabby armchair on Craigslist that was previously occupied by a comatose, and incontinent, old lady. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026

But the best part of the show is the chill-to-the-point-of-comatose voice acting. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026

The case exposed the depressing banality of it all—the man smiling politely at you at the bakery, only to rape your comatose body at night. —Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026

Torenberg said her book follows a woman who livestreams her life to raise money for the healthcare costs of her comatose sister. —Danielle Parker, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French comateux, from Greek kōmat-, kōma — see coma entry 1

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for comatose

• adios
• adipose
• amylose
• bellicose
• cellulose
• centavos
• diagnose
• grandiose
• granulose
• levulose
• overdose
• ribulose

Medical Definition

comatose

adjective

co·​ma·​tose ˈkō-mə-ˌtōs  ˈkäm-ə- 

: of, resembling, or affected with coma

a comatose patient

a comatose condition