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
Four years after Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the Welsh Wrexham AFC team and boosted the moribund club’s status from the lower-rung National League to a historic three consecutive promotions in the English Football League, Snoop Dogg is getting in on the action.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 July 2025
And China purchases nearly all of Iran’s oil exports, providing vital resources to its moribund economy.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
Metro Loft was one of the first to transform moribund office buildings in the financial district into apartments.
—Ellen Rosen, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for moribund
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Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 July 2025
And China purchases nearly all of Iran’s oil exports, providing vital resources to its moribund economy.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
Metro Loft was one of the first to transform moribund office buildings in the financial district into apartments.
—Ellen Rosen, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for moribund
Cite this Entry
“Moribund.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moribund. Accessed 29 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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