comatose

adjective

co·​ma·​tose ˈkō-mə-ˌtōs How to pronounce comatose (audio) ˈkä- How to pronounce comatose (audio)
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.

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
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.
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 The gang is after Shaw (Statham) for Han’s death, while the villain seeks revenge on his comatose brother's (Evans) behalf. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for comatose

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of comatose was in 1755

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comatose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comatose. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

comatose

adjective
co·​ma·​tose ˈkō-mə-ˌtōs How to pronounce comatose (audio) ˈkäm-ə- How to pronounce comatose (audio)
: of, resembling, or affected with coma
a comatose patient
a comatose condition

More from Merriam-Webster on comatose

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