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
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.
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
Nowhere is that better illustrated than in Germany’s moribund strategy toward China.
—Ian Johnson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2021
As part of the 3 Arrows of the Abenomics plan to reanimate a moribund Japanese economy, Japan permitted its government pension fund, GPIF, to invest more of its capital in foreign assets.
—Steven Desmyter, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
There are stories to be told within that scope — interesting ones, controversial ones, the kind that could get audiences talking and arguing, and even ones that could help breathe life into the moribund state of conservative filmmaking.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2024
And when the veteran Rams receiver returned to the lineup Thursday night after a four-game absence, the recently moribund offense anticipated a welcome jolt.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for moribund 
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.
Ian Johnson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2021
As part of the 3 Arrows of the Abenomics plan to reanimate a moribund Japanese economy, Japan permitted its government pension fund, GPIF, to invest more of its capital in foreign assets.
—Steven Desmyter, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
There are stories to be told within that scope — interesting ones, controversial ones, the kind that could get audiences talking and arguing, and even ones that could help breathe life into the moribund state of conservative filmmaking.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2024
And when the veteran Rams receiver returned to the lineup Thursday night after a four-game absence, the recently moribund offense anticipated a welcome jolt.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
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 1 Dec. 2024.
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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share