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zombieing

English → EnglishslangInstant · from the shared dictionary
zombieing

Zombieing refers to a specific modern dating behavior where someone who previously "ghosted" you—meaning they cut off all communication without explanation—suddenly reappears as if nothing ever happened. The mental image is of someone rising from the dead, just like a zombie, to haunt your inbox or social media feed after a period of total silence. This term is used exclusively in the context of romantic or social relationships. It carries a negative connotation, implying that the person is unreliable or lacks the self-awareness to apologize for their previous disappearance. You might hear it used as a warning among friends or as a way to describe a frustrating, recurring cycle in digital dating.

In conversation

Checking in with a friend

Did Mark ever text you back?

Did Mark ever text you back?

No, he ghosted me for three months! But he just sent me a heart emoji.

No, he ghosted me for three months! But he just sent me a heart emoji.

Oh no, he's totally zombieing you. Don't fall for it.

Oh no, he's totally zombieing you. Don't fall for it.

Used to describe the sudden reappearance of someone who previously ghosted.

Examples

  1. I thought we were done, but he started zombieing me out of nowhere.

    I thought we were done, but he started zombieing me out of nowhere.

  2. Zombieing is often considered more disrespectful than simple ghosting because it ignores the history of the breakup.

    Zombieing is often considered more disrespectful than simple ghosting because it ignores the history of the breakup.

  3. She was caught in a cycle of being ghosted and then zombieing, making it impossible for her to find any closure.

    She was caught in a cycle of being ghosted and then zombieing, making it impossible for her to find any closure.

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