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

The idea might seem clever, as if the artist has cannily illustrated how the lovey-dovey notion of romance and family is hokey, brain-dead, false. — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

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

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