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

Iran said on August 29 the decision by European powers to trigger a mechanism reimposing sanctions under a moribund 2015 nuclear deal would undermine Tehran's cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025

To his mind, movies are so moribund because people approach them as work; as fossilization rather than creation. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025

Alonso’s attempts to revitalise a team which appeared moribund by the end of Ancelotti’s time as coach actually began at the Club World Cup, a tournament that offered Madridistas some optimistic signs but also reinforced more painful realities. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025

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

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