lifeless

adjective

life·​less ˈlīf-ləs 

: having no life:

a

: dead

b

: inanimate

c

: lacking qualities expressive of life and vigor : insipid

d

: destitute of living beings

lifelessly adverb

lifelessness noun

Synonyms

• dead
• fallen
• deceased

Examples of lifeless in a Sentence

a cold and lifeless landscape

The book's plot was lifeless and predictable.

Recent Examples on the Web

After a lifeless Friday night loss in which they were held to two hits, and with the dominant Max Fried on the mound Saturday, the Red Sox badly needed the kind of dominant performance Brayan Bello has turned in against the Yankees throughout his career. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025

Producing such minerals in a lifeless place would probably require acidic conditions or high temperatures—and the area showed signs of neither. —David W. Brown, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025

The results cast doubt on whether the plumes truly carry whispers of alien life, or merely echoes of lifeless chemistry on the frozen shell. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025

In the Sun Belt title game against Marshall and the New Mexico Bowl against TCU, a lifeless offense failed to score a touchdown in two blowout losses. —Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lifeless

adjective

life·​less ˈlī-fləs 

: having no life

lifelessly adverb

lifelessness noun