moribund

adjective

mor·​i·​bund ˈmȯr-ə-(ˌ)bənd How to pronounce moribund (audio)
ˈmär-
1
: being in the state of dying : approaching death
in the moribund patient deepening stupor and coma are the usual preludes to deathNorman Cameron
2
: being in a state of inactivity or obsolescence
a moribund virus
a moribund volcano
prune the moribund files from your disk foreverD. S. Janal
moribundity noun

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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
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.
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 Wirfs, who moved from right to left tackle in 2023, helped resurrect a moribund ground game that was last in the NFL the previous two seasons but now ranks fourth overall and third in rushing average. Rick Stroud, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2025 But not even the NFL’s current passing leader was able to turn around the moribund Bengals immediately. Dan Duggan, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for moribund 

Word History

Etymology

Latin moribundus, from mori to die — more at murder

First Known Use

circa 1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of moribund was circa 1721

Dictionary Entries Near moribund

Cite this Entry

“Moribund.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moribund. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

moribund

adjective
mor·​i·​bund ˈmȯr-ə-(ˌ)bənd How to pronounce moribund (audio)
ˈmär-
: nearly dead

Medical Definition

moribund

adjective
mor·​i·​bund ˈmȯr-ə-(ˌ)bənd, ˈmär- How to pronounce moribund (audio)
: being in the state of dying : approaching death
in the moribund patient deepening stupor and coma are the usual preludes to deathNorman Cameron

More from Merriam-Webster on moribund

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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