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Synonyms

lifeless

American  
[lahyf-lis] / ˈlaɪf lɪs /

adjective

  1. not endowed with life; having no life; inanimate.

    lifeless matter.

    Synonyms:
    inorganic
    Antonyms:
    living
  2. destitute of living things.

    a lifeless planet.

  3. deprived of life; dead.

    a battlefield strewn with lifeless bodies.

    Synonyms:
    defunct
    Antonyms:
    living
  4. without animation, liveliness, or spirit; dull; colorless; torpid.

    a lifeless performance of a play.

    Synonyms:
    spiritless, sluggish, passive, inert, inactive
    Antonyms:
    lively
  5. insensible, as a person who has fainted.


lifeless British  
/ ˈlaɪflɪs /

adjective

  1. without life; inanimate; dead

  2. not sustaining living organisms

  3. having no vitality or animation

  4. unconscious

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See dead.

Other Word Forms

  • lifelessly adverb
  • lifelessness noun

Etymology

Origin of lifeless

before 1000; Middle English lifles, Old English līflēas. See life, -less

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The drawing was accurate, but still and lifeless.

From Literature

I dived into the water to take a look at the lifeless motor.

From Literature

A white, lifeless human face stared back up at her, and Natalie screamed.

From Literature

Even if future evidence shows that Europa's ocean is lifeless today, Byrne says the effort will still be worthwhile.

From Science Daily

The New York Jets’ lifeless season ended with another embarrassing loss, this time a 35-8 drubbing by Buffalo, which was resting many key players including Allen.

From The Wall Street Journal