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
Future of South Miami mall takes new path What’s replacing Shops at Sunset Place?
Replacing the moribund mall will be seven towers, ranging from 12 to 33 stories, including 1,513 residences, 287-room hotel and a 1,300-seat movie theater.
—Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
For now, a campaign promise by South Korea’s new president Lee Jae-myung to invest 100 trillion won in AI and introduce measures to support the country’s internet giants has led Kakao’s previously moribund shares to surge over 85% in the past two months.
—John Kang, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
UMass transfer Kofi Asare had 5.5 tackles for loss (3 sacks) in 12 appearances for the moribund Minutemen.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Furthermore, this case is a poor vehicle for addressing the question of preliminary relief, as the Department seeks review of only one of several grounds of invalidation and the moribund rule is unlikely to be maintained, let alone defended by the incoming administration.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for moribund
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Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
For now, a campaign promise by South Korea’s new president Lee Jae-myung to invest 100 trillion won in AI and introduce measures to support the country’s internet giants has led Kakao’s previously moribund shares to surge over 85% in the past two months.
—John Kang, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
UMass transfer Kofi Asare had 5.5 tackles for loss (3 sacks) in 12 appearances for the moribund Minutemen.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Furthermore, this case is a poor vehicle for addressing the question of preliminary relief, as the Department seeks review of only one of several grounds of invalidation and the moribund rule is unlikely to be maintained, let alone defended by the incoming administration.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for moribund
Cite this Entry
“Moribund.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moribund. Accessed 19 Jul. 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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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