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

2

: 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

moribundity

ˌmȯr-ə-ˈbən-də-tē 

ˌmär-

noun

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• dying

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

When Mike Jacobi helped spur efforts to turn around Wyandotte County in the 1990s, then a moribund region shedding residents and businesses, local leaders turned to a new state economic tool to finance the Kansas Speedway and the sprawling Village West shopping area. —Jonathan Shorman and, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2025

While touchdown connections with rookie sensation Jayden Daniels have helped lift this moribund franchise out of the depths of football hell, McLaurin finds his high by creating deep personal relationships with teammates. —Ben Standig, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

With the Lions, under head coach Dan Campbell, Glenn helped turn around a moribund Lions defense – and the team went on to become a Super Bowl contender. —Jill Martin, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025

The script seemed set for an Oilers pummelling of the moribund Canucks. —Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin moribundus, from mori to die — more at murder

First Known Use

circa 1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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