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

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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 The sinus infection had turned into a rare condition known as Pott’s puffy tumor, which left Daniel in a near brain-dead state with no movement in either eye. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 21 May 2026 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 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
  • America’s Semiquincentennial was celebrated across the country this summer with big, dumb, gluttonous fun.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But the attention on Cunningham’s comments, the contrived outrage over a fictional trans athlete draft and dumb stunts by former NBA players may have helped drive more folks toward watching the league’s games.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Far too much coverage of declining trust in science — particularly the anti-vaccine movement — is predicated on the assumption that its adherents are either stupid or crazy.
    Rick Berke, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The Dodge Durango Hellcat is the most accessible way to go stupid-fast in a three-row family car thanks to the Escalade V‘s high price tag.
    Byron Hurd, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The challenge is that the hydrogen evolution reaction is slower in alkaline environments, increasing the need for catalysts that can deliver high activity without rapidly losing performance.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • As Mikhail Gorbachev became Soviet premier and promised new openness with a policy of glasnost, a slow thaw would begin toward free speech, human rights, the release of political dissidents and relaxed restrictions on emigration.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Waist circumference is one simple way to estimate visceral fat.
    Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • From a straightforward season-long points race to giving the points leader a cushion on the leaderboard, and now the simple format of awarding the FedEx Cup to the winner of the Tour Championship, the postseason has long needed a boost.
    Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Brain-dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brain-dead. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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