comatose

adjective

co·​ma·​tose ˈkō-mə-ˌtōs  ˈkä- 

1

: of, resembling, or affected with coma

The patient lay comatose, sustained by respirators.

2

: characterized by lethargic inertness : torpid

a comatose economy

Broadway was theatrically comatose that summer.

Synonyms

• dead
• sleepy
• slow

Examples of comatose in a Sentence

She lay in a comatose state.

the city's downtown has been comatose for years

Recent Examples on the Web

The ‘real’ Camille, meanwhile, has become an insensible, comatose carcass, although no one seems to notice. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025

As Matt, a passive husband and father who discovers his comatose wife had been having an affair, Clooney exudes a naked vulnerability that in some ways is meant to be pathetic. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024

His doctor gave him a cortisone shot during the comatose period and his doctor sent him home. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 10 Dec. 2024

During this comatose period, Foxx was taken to a doctor, who administered a cortisone shot and sent him home. —Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French comateux, from Greek kōmat-, kōma — see coma entry 1

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

comatose

adjective

co·​ma·​tose ˈkō-mə-ˌtōs  ˈkäm-ə- 

: of, resembling, or affected with coma

a comatose patient

a comatose condition