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 of moribund

• 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

China reported its highest inflation rate in three years, a welcome sign for a country grappling with deflation and moribund consumption. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026

Hagey went on to found the San Diego Street Scene festival, which ran from 1984 to 2009 and helped transform downtown’s moribund Gaslamp Quarter into a thriving commercial and residential hotspot. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026

Sufien, bedridden and moribund at the book’s beginning, looks back on his life. —Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026

Holtz led the previously-moribund Gophers to a 10-12 record during his 1984-85 reign in Minneapolis. —News Services, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026

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