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

The Yankees remained comatose at the plate on Tuesday, as their lineup’s scoreless streak reached 29 innings in a 4-0 loss to the Angels in the Bronx. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025

During this comatose period, Foxx was taken to a doctor, who administered a cortisone shot and sent him home. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 11 June 2025

At the hospital, Mike (O’Dowd) learns his comatose wife has a brain tumor that conventional medicine considers inoperable. —Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025

The Crofts are still comatose, they’re now intubated (aka not breathing on their own), and there’s still only enough of Watson’s treatment to save one of the brothers. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 11 May 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