1
: characterized by brain death
2
: lacking intelligence or vitality
brain-dead fools

Examples of brain-dead in a Sentence

it seems like she's always doing some brain-dead thing or another
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
All the ingredients for a romp are there, from the blinkered heroine to the delicious possibilities of brain-dead Hollywood pitchspeak. Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2024 Another 15 to 19 are based in hospitals, but devoted to only brain-dead organ donors. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 25 June 2024 There are circumstances in which a patient who isn’t brain-dead may still become an organ donor. Jen Christensen, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024 Especially in the earlier games, saving was heavily restricted, and progress could be easily lost—one brain-dead stumble can set you back an hour. Gabriel Winslow-Yost, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for brain-dead 

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brain-dead was in 1972

Dictionary Entries Near brain-dead

Cite this Entry

“Brain-dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brain-dead. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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