moribund

[mawr-uh-buhnd, mor-]

adjective

1. in a dying state; near death.

   He arrived at the hospital moribund, and passed away a few hours later.

2. on the verge of extinction or termination.

   moribund species, largely due to human encroachment on their natural habitat.

3. not progressing or advancing; stagnant.

   a moribund political party.

moribund

/ ˈmɒrɪˌbʌnd /

adjective

1. near death

2. stagnant; without force or vitality

Other Word Forms

• moribundity noun
• moribundly adverb
• unmoribund adjective
• unmoribundly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of moribund¹

First recorded in 1715–25; from Latin moribundus “dying,” equivalent to mori- (stem of morī “to die”) + -bundus adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of moribund¹

C18: from Latin, from morī to die

Example Sentences

He has recruited for the suit the same law firm—Keller Postman—that is already leading multidistrict litigation against Kenvue over Tylenol, litigation that was moribund until RFK rode to the rescue.

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During the pandemic, when international travel was moribund, previous leadership pushed the airline to be more lower-cost focused and did not predict that the higher-end consumer would be driving travel right now.

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The moribund American motorcycle business just got a shot in the arm.

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Rogers said Canadian companies and policymakers have been complacent about underlying structural problems with the domestic economy, notably moribund productivity and weak business investment.

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Rogers last year delivered a speech declaring that Canada’s moribund productivity had become a national emergency that required urgent action from policymakers.

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