comatose

adjective

co·​ma·​tose ˈkō-mə-ˌtōs  ˈkä- 

1

: of, resembling, or affected with coma

The patient lay comatose, sustained by respirators.

2

: characterized by lethargic inertness : torpid

a comatose economy

Broadway was theatrically comatose that summer.

Synonyms

• slow
• sleepy
• dead

Examples of comatose in a Sentence

She lay in a comatose state.

the city's downtown has been comatose for years

Recent Examples on the Web

Halloween 4 takes place a decade after the events of Halloween II, with Michael having been comatose for the past 10 years. —Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025

Love that comatose Wednesday has her hands folded across her chest, corpse-style. —Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025

Researchers used artificial intelligence to spot hidden signs of consciousness in comatose patients long before they were noticed by doctors, according to a new study. —Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Wednesday appears gravely injured by the fall and is seemingly in a comatose state to begin the trailer for Season 2, Part 2, when Weems shows up in her hospital room as a wicked nurse. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French comateux, from Greek kōmat-, kōma — see coma entry 1

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for comatose

• adios
• adipose
• amylose
• bellicose
• cellulose
• centavos
• diagnose
• grandiose
• granulose
• levulose
• overdose
• ribulose

Medical Definition

comatose

adjective

co·​ma·​tose ˈkō-mə-ˌtōs  ˈkäm-ə- 

: of, resembling, or affected with coma

a comatose patient

a comatose condition