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

• dead
• sleepy
• slow

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

Naturally, many of those accounts invoke Ben Stein and his comatose class. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

The prince finds her in her comatose state and kissing her, breaking the spell and awakening her. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025

Saturday’s magic trick against a bottom-tier Mountain West foe: Down nine and seemingly comatose with 6½ minutes to go, only to outscore the Cowboys 20-0 (yes, 20-0) with disgruntled Miami Heat guard Jimmy Butler sitting courtside and nearly two dozen former players in attendance. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025

While one is awake in the world, the other is in a comatose state generating the fluid necessary for their counterpart to stay alive. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 Mar. 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