moribund
Americanadjective
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in a dying state; near death.
He arrived at the hospital moribund, and passed away a few hours later.
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on the verge of extinction or termination.
moribund species, largely due to human encroachment on their natural habitat.
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not progressing or advancing; stagnant.
a moribund political party.
adjective
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near death
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stagnant; without force or vitality
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of moribund
First recorded in 1715–25; from Latin moribundus “dying,” equivalent to mori- (stem of morī “to die”) + -bundus adjective suffix
Explanation
Something that is moribund is almost dead, like a moribund economy that has been stuck in a recession for years. In Latin, mori means "to die." You probably recognize this root in words like mortal, mortician, and mortuary. Moribund means "near death," but it can also mean something that is coming to an end, nearly obsolete, or stagnant. For example, as streaming videos over the Internet becomes a more and more popular way to watch movies and television shows, the DVD has become a moribund medium.
Vocabulary lists containing moribund
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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 state government, desperate to stimulate the economy and its moribund real-estate sector, began eroding the growth management plan that had restrained development.
From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026
In a diplomatic overture, the Communist regime is aiming to open up its moribund economy to the affluent Cuban-American diaspora.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026
On the U.S. side, some are predicting that Trump will agree to open up travel to the island, which is key to revitalizing the moribund tourist economy.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026
Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, his Republican and Democratic successors, dealt with the same moribund economy, and Carter oversaw another oil crisis in 1979 precipitated by the Iranian Revolution.
From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026
Crabs set upon and destroyed the moribund fishes, but the next day were dead themselves.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
