lifeless

adjective

life·​less ˈlīf-ləs How to pronounce lifeless (audio)
: having no life:
a
: dead
b
c
: lacking qualities expressive of life and vigor : insipid
d
: destitute of living beings
lifelessly adverb
lifelessness noun

Examples of lifeless in a Sentence

a cold and lifeless landscape The book's plot was lifeless and predictable.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Their bodies were found lifeless June 2 with plastic bags over their heads and evidence that their hands had been zip-tied near their father's truck in a campground. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 26 June 2025 The following morning, the family discovered the lifeless body of the fourth kitten. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 Faced with her lover’s lifeless body, Abe cut off his genitals with a kitchen knife, wrapped them inside a magazine cover, and vanished in the early hours. Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 May 2025 Disregard the packet’s rigid instructions — boiling them for exactly two minutes risks either a limp, lifeless tangle or an unpleasantly chewy bite. The Learning Network, New York Times, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for lifeless

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifeless was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Lifeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeless. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

lifeless

adjective
life·​less ˈlī-fləs How to pronounce lifeless (audio)
: having no life
lifelessly adverb
lifelessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lifeless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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