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 of comatose

• 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

Kylie grieves over her comatose boyfriend, setting her on a journey to the English countryside in order to end the curse, and Antonia watches over Kylie’s beau in the hospital. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Naturally, many of those accounts invoke Ben Stein and his comatose class. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

Bregman had one of the two hits off Cease on a day when the Cubs offense was comatose for long stretches. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Those people are probably comatose at this point to not have an opinion one way or the other. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

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