Synonyms of drop-deadnext
: sensationally striking, attractive, or impressive
a drop-dead evening gown
drop-dead adverb

Examples of drop-dead in a Sentence

a drop-dead wedding dress that must have cost a fortune
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.
From the ultimate artistic take on a 100-year-old nameplate to a timeless pairing of horology and horsepower to a drop-dead droptop, the machines on the following pages left us starstruck. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 June 2026 That pushes the drop-dead deadline into mid-August. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 3 June 2026 Keke Palmer, who is on this year's Time 100 list, is drop-dead gorgeous in a floor length black gown at the Time 100 Gala on April 23 in New York City. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026 Never fear, a drop-dead gorgeous swimming pool is the centerpiece of the resort. Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2026 The league had put this past Tuesday as its drop-dead deadline for a deal to be reached without affecting the 2026 schedule. Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2026 Every decade gets at least one charismatic male movie star who’s drop-dead gorgeous yet somehow guy-next-door relatable, action-hero intense one second and irresistibly charming the next. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026 Her natural curly lob with strategic layers is drop-dead gorgeous. Krista Carter, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026 Vita’s look, though, is drop-dead stunning. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drop-dead was in 1962

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drop-dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drop-dead. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster