stillborn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stillborn" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a baby born without signs of life or metaphorically to refer to an idea or project that fails to develop or succeed. Example: "The proposal was stillborn, as it failed to gain any support from the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the political and economic renaissance of Europe that was predicted at the European convention is likely to be stillborn.

The Economist

If a larger group refused to sign up to the constitution, the document might be stillborn.

The Economist

Caroline, John Kennedy's sister, has now lost both parents, three siblings (another brother in infancy, a sister stillborn), two uncles both died young and violently and numerous cousins.

The Economist

Both are wary of following an initiative that could be stillborn.

The Economist

But the initiative was stillborn, not least because it coincided with the Palestinian intifada and one especially terrible atrocity in which a Hamas suicide-bomber blew himself up in a hotel, killing 30 Israelis at Passover.

The Economist

An unrepresentative "dialogue commission" set up by the president was stillborn.

The Economist

That, in theory, could mean that the whole document is stillborn, since it needs to be ratified by every EU member.

The Economist

Chrysler will provide both a manufacturing base in America and a powerful distribution network.Mr Wester is well aware that for all the affection that Alfa still retains among car enthusiasts the plan will be stillborn unless the products are right.

The Economist

But Arab nationalism was stillborn; the promise of self-determination made by America's president, Woodrow Wilson, was not applied to Egyptians demanding the end of British rule.

The Economist

However, dire figures for exports in January (a fall of 4.4% compared with December) aroused fears that the hoped-for boom in exports will be stillborn.

The Economist

With Mr McDonough, regulators hope to fill a job that has so far been stillborn.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stillborn" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates the failure or lack of development from the beginning. For example, "The project was stillborn due to lack of funding."

Common error

Avoid using "stillborn" to describe something that initially showed promise but later failed. "Stillborn" implies failure from the outset, not a decline after a period of success.

Linguistic Context

The word "stillborn" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that was either dead at birth (literal) or unsuccessful from the beginning (metaphorical). Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in both senses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "stillborn" is an adjective that can describe both a baby born dead and, metaphorically, initiatives or ideas that never succeed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. The term sees frequent use in news media and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, consider its sensitive nature and ensure proper context. Common alternatives include "dead on arrival" or "abortive". Remember, "stillborn" suggests failure from the outset, not failure after a period of success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dead on arrival

This phrase vividly conveys that something failed immediately upon its introduction.

abortive

Indicates something that fails to come to completion or fruition.

unsuccessful from the start

Directly describes something that never had a chance of succeeding.

fruitless

Implies a lack of positive results or outcomes.

failed

A general term for not succeeding.

defunct

Suggests something is no longer in use or existence.

doomed

Implies a predetermined failure.

lost cause

Describes a situation or effort that is certain to fail.

nonstarter

Indicates something that never had a viable beginning.

unborn

Emphasizes the lack of life or potential development.

FAQs

How to use "stillborn" in a sentence?

You can use "stillborn" to describe a baby born dead or, metaphorically, an idea or project that fails from the beginning. For example, "The peace initiative was "dead on arrival" and quickly became stillborn."

What can I say instead of "stillborn"?

Alternatives include "dead on arrival", "abortive", or "unsuccessful from the start", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "stillborn" metaphorically?

Yes, it is appropriate to use "stillborn" metaphorically to describe ideas, projects, or initiatives that fail to develop or succeed from the outset. However, be mindful of the sensitivity of the term and its primary meaning.

What's the difference between "stillborn" and "failed"?

"Stillborn" implies a lack of success from the very beginning, whereas "failed" can refer to something that initially showed promise but ultimately did not succeed. A "stillborn" project never had a chance, while a "failed" project may have had initial momentum.