lifeless

adjective

life·​less ˈlīf-ləs How to pronounce lifeless (audio)
: having no life:
a
: dead
b
c
: lacking qualities expressive of life and vigor : insipid
d
: destitute of living beings
lifelessly adverb
lifelessness noun

Examples of lifeless in a Sentence

a cold and lifeless landscape The book's plot was lifeless and predictable.
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.
The adorably named Tweety had been left for dead alongside the lifeless bodies of several other chicks at one of India’s largest egg farms. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 However, many stylists specifically recommend the treatment for anyone with fine, limp, lifeless hair that tends to get oily, in particular. Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025 The nuclear power plant a few miles up the road, which has sat lifeless for over a decade. Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025 Penn State’s offense was lifeless until the fourth quarter, and Drew Allar threw a pick in overtime with the game on the line. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lifeless

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifeless was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Lifeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeless. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

lifeless

adjective
life·​less ˈlī-fləs How to pronounce lifeless (audio)
: having no life
lifelessly adverb
lifelessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lifeless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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