lifeless

adjective

life·​less ˈlīf-ləs How to pronounce lifeless (audio)
: having no life:
a
: dead
b
c
: lacking qualities expressive of life and vigor : insipid
d
: destitute of living beings
lifelessly adverb
lifelessness noun

Examples of lifeless in a Sentence

a cold and lifeless landscape The book's plot was lifeless and predictable.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Their bodies were found lifeless with plastic bags over their heads and evidence that their hands had been zip-tied near their father's truck. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 1 July 2025 What was once a quiet, natural landscape is now a stark, lifeless installation of metal and wire. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025 Pottery Barn Reeva Handwoven Rug A high-quality area rug can make all the difference in transforming spaces from cold and lifeless to warm and inviting. Maggie Horton, People.com, 21 June 2025 Attached to the entanglement was a shark, seemingly lifeless, whose body had become intertwined with ropes. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lifeless

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifeless was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lifeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeless. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

lifeless

adjective
life·​less ˈlī-fləs How to pronounce lifeless (audio)
: having no life
lifelessly adverb
lifelessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lifeless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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