moribund

adjective

mor·​i·​bund ˈmȯr-ə-(ˌ)bənd 

ˈmär-

1

: being in the state of dying : approaching death

in the moribund patient deepening stupor and coma are the usual preludes to death

—Norman Cameron

2

: being in a state of inactivity or obsolescence

a moribund virus

a moribund volcano

prune the moribund files from your disk forever

—D. S. Janal

moribundity

ˌmȯr-ə-ˈbən-də-tē 

ˌmär-

noun

Did you know?

Moribund Gets Less Literal

Moribund is still sometimes used in its original literal sense of "approaching death", but it's much more often used to describe things. When the economy goes bad, we hear about moribund mills and factories and towns; the economy itself may even be called moribund. Critics may speak of the moribund state of poetry, or lament the moribund record or newspaper industry.

Synonyms

• dying

Examples of moribund in a Sentence

an actor who is trying to revive his moribund career

The peace talks are moribund.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another defensive collapse against Texas A&M and 480-yard day by moribund Mississippi State ended September with the Gators searching for answers and making changes on defense — James’ role among them. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025

Trump also wants lower rates to boost moribund home sales, which have been held back partly by higher mortgage costs. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2025

As an effort to breathe new life into a particularly moribund title—there have been four prior takes on these characters, all of them bad—First Steps is essentially successful. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 July 2025

Delaware Visitors queue at The Ice Cream Store along the boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, U.S. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters While growth in The First State was moribund last year, Delaware’s economic foundation is sound, and well-insulated from the upheaval coming from Washington. —Scott Cohn, CNBC, 12 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin moribundus, from mori to die — more at murder

First Known Use

circa 1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

moribund

adjective

mor·​i·​bund ˈmȯr-ə-(ˌ)bənd 

ˈmär-

: nearly dead

Medical Definition

moribund

adjective

mor·​i·​bund ˈmȯr-ə-(ˌ)bənd, ˈmär- 

: being in the state of dying : approaching death

in the moribund patient deepening stupor and coma are the usual preludes to death

—Norman Cameron