Words / C2

MOR-ib-und/ˈmɒrɪbʌnd/

Moribund means dying, or of an institution almost finished (formal): a moribund custom, a moribund list. Dying is everyday; defunct (already in the dictionary) is already dead. Morbid is unhealthy interest in death — a lookalike. Do not call a quiet but working archive moribund.

Meaning

Near death; of an institution or custom, no longer active or useful (formal).

Examples

• “The moribund mailing list had not posted since the merger.”
• “The moribund mailing list had not posted since the merger, which was the evidence.”
• “Defunct is over; moribund is almost over. Morbid curiosity is a different adjective. A silent, used archive is not moribund.”

Good to know

Dying; almost defunct (formal). Everyday: dying. Contrast: defunct (already dead). Mix-up: morbid. Needs evidence of stoppage, not quiet.

Near in meaning

dying

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