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 of moribund

• 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

The domestic economy is otherwise moribund, hampered by bad debts and a shrinking labor force. — Ruchir Sharma, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026

Given the significant appreciation of the formerly moribund share price over the past year, about 500 employees now have more than $1 million apiece in equity, as the New York Post noted. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026

The Cowboys overhauled the defensive roster and tried to revive a moribund unit behind the energy of a 34-year-old, first-time defensive coordinator in Christian Parker. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

It was founded by 37-year-old Chef Pam—the nickname of Pichaya Soontornyanakij—and was a driving force in reviving the once moribund district. — Tony Perrottet, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

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