as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
it seems like she's always doing some brain-dead thing or another
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Recent Examples of brain-dead
As good fortune, karma or just a brain-dead decision would have it, Eagles punt returner Xavier Gipson decided returning a punt from his own 2-yard line was a great idea.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
He was delivered by Caesarian section because a donor heart became available from a brain-dead baby in Canada.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Doctors later told the family that Samuel is brain-dead and remains unresponsive.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
A week later, he was taken to surgery to have his organs removed for donation — even though his heart was beating and he hadn’t been declared brain-dead, Zohny said.
—Cara Anthony, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brain-dead
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
He was delivered by Caesarian section because a donor heart became available from a brain-dead baby in Canada.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Doctors later told the family that Samuel is brain-dead and remains unresponsive.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
A week later, he was taken to surgery to have his organs removed for donation — even though his heart was beating and he hadn’t been declared brain-dead, Zohny said.
—Cara Anthony, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brain-dead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brain-dead
Adjective
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As my colleague Zach Harper expertly pointed out Wednesday, the rule itself — mandating that any player eligible for a postseason award must play 65 games in a season — looks pretty dumb right now.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Looking back on his 27 years with the bank, Gentry said the timing, loopholes, tax strategies and negotiations that gave the business its acquisitive edge were not because of dumb luck.—
Chase Jordan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And then the second one is grassroots and bottom up and the local solutions to this thing that is a stupid business model.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
11 Apr. 2026
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Allowing one nine years of eligibility is just stupid.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Or maybe this was a slow roll, meant to culminate with the two All-Stars crescendoing into the playoff push.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Feed Forever Goldy® Arborvitae annually in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Both include full integration of the climate controls into the screen, requiring more concentration to use and additional steps to make adjustments previously accomplished by pressing a simple button.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Scientists at Florida International University are developing a drug compound known as CTS2444-32, designed to reach deep brain regions affected by Parkinson's through a simple nasal delivery system.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brain-dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brain-dead. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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