brain-dead

adjective

ˈbrān-ˌded 

1

: characterized by brain death

2

: lacking intelligence or vitality

brain-dead fools

Synonyms of brain-dead

• dumb
• stupid
• slow
• simple

Examples of brain-dead in a Sentence

it seems like she's always doing some brain-dead thing or another

Recent Examples on the Web

Set in the 1950s, Juul follows 17-year-old circus acrobat Juul, whose life changes forever after a tragic accident leaves her in a coma and declared brain-dead. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Under the law, once a patient is declared brain-dead, a hospital can withdraw life-sustaining measures. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

After becoming the longest-serving ADA on the series, Barba resigned amidst his controversial decision to pull the plug on a brain-dead child. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 2026

The patient was brain-dead, and the procedure, which was performed in China, was a trial, but the organs — from a pig genetically modified to improve compatibility with human immune systems — were not immediately rejected. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for brain-dead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead