Definition of brain-deadnext
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily it seems like she's always doing some brain-dead thing or another

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of brain-dead As good fortune, karma or just a brain-dead decision would have it, Eagles punt returner Xavier Gipson decided returning a punt from his own 2-yard line was a great idea. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025 He was delivered by Caesarian section because a donor heart became available from a brain-dead baby in Canada. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025 Doctors later told the family that Samuel is brain-dead and remains unresponsive. Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025 A week later, he was taken to surgery to have his organs removed for donation — even though his heart was beating and he hadn’t been declared brain-dead, Zohny said. Cara Anthony, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brain-dead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brain-dead
Adjective
  • Proof is just smart enough without risking making anyone feel dumb.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Trump has routinely mocked his political opponents and critics as crazy or dumb.
    Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • And then the second one is grassroots and bottom up and the local solutions to this thing that is a stupid business model.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Allowing one nine years of eligibility is just stupid.
    Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Plane outlets are often slow, loose, or even nonexistent, and when delays stack up, a dead phone becomes a real problem—not just an inconvenience.
    Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026
  • When Manning began teaching in the early 1990s, communication between teachers and parents moved at a slower, more deliberate pace.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Both include full integration of the climate controls into the screen, requiring more concentration to use and additional steps to make adjustments previously accomplished by pressing a simple button.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Scientists at Florida International University are developing a drug compound known as CTS2444-32, designed to reach deep brain regions affected by Parkinson's through a simple nasal delivery system.
    Ted Scouten, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Brain-dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brain-dead. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.

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