Definition of brain-deadnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of brain-dead He was declared brain-dead that day and taken off life support two days later. City News Service, Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026 The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner classified Robinson as brain-dead on March 2, issuing what is known as a demographic report, a document the office routinely issues following someone's death. David Clarey, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026 The vast majority of organ donations once came from people who were brain-dead. ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026 He was reportedly revived at a hospital but was declared brain-dead and removed from life support. Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brain-dead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brain-dead
Adjective
  • Some 17-year-olds are awkward, gangly teens who tend to do or say dumb things.
    Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
  • Vance appears to be performing a smart person’s idea of a dumb person.
    David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
Adjective
  • Parametric modeling, especially when weighted down with decades of AutoCAD’s stupid UI/UX choices, was even harder than programming.
    Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026
  • The simplest explanation is that Vance believes his voters are stupid.
    David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
Adjective
  • General Daily Insight for July 26, 2026 A slower pace could reveal what pressure has been hiding.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
  • With a boat launch, any size motors are invited, but must be operated at a slow no-wake speed, according to the park website.
    Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
Adjective
  • One solution would be a relatively simple expansion of the southern end of the Stadium of Light to mirror the height of the west and north.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Food safety experts say a few simple habits can make a difference.
    Olivia LaBorde, AJC.com, 21 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brain-dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brain-dead. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster