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
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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
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
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And Lorenzen delivering this stink bomb made the 48,366 in attendance feel as dumb as rocks for braving the cold.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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Well, dumber isn’t quite right — and is only meant affectionately by Grabinski himself.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That, and [making] stupid pictures of my friends.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
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But most players aren’t stupid.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Or maybe this was a slow roll, meant to culminate with the two All-Stars crescendoing into the playoff push.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Feed Forever Goldy® Arborvitae annually in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Styles for men and women are available -- all with Allbirds design philosophy that's clean, modern and perfectly simple -- lightweight, bouncy and wildly comfortable.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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On April 18, that reverence will look like music, laughter and a line of people waiting for something hot out of the fryer — a simple plate carrying stories from across the world, all landing in one place.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brain-dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brain-dead. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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