antipsychotic

noun

an·​ti·​psy·​chot·​ic ˌan-tē-sī-ˈkä-tik 

ˌan-tī-

: any of the powerful tranquilizers (such as the phenothiazines and butyrophenones) used especially to treat psychosis and believed to act by blocking dopamine nervous receptors

called also neuroleptic

antipsychotic adjective

Examples of antipsychotic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Who is prescribing antipsychotics to people with dementia? —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 29 Apr. 2026

When symptoms like anxiety, mood changes, or behavioral issues become difficult to manage, antidepressants or antipsychotics may be used.1415 A psychiatrist typically prescribes these medications alongside behavioral therapy. —Health, 15 Apr. 2026

Additionally, people on certain medications, including some antidepressants and antipsychotics, can have trouble regulating temperature, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026

Some studies show antipsychotics could limit violent outcomes in patients, but more research is needed to determine whether meds can reduce violence to the same level as the general population. —David Oliver, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for antipsychotic

• antibiotic
• antithrombotic
• epizootic
• eukaryotic
• homoerotic
• prokaryotic
• psychoneurotic
• unpatriotic
• xenobiotic
• abiotic
• aeronautic
• apoptotic

Medical Definition

antipsychotic

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti·​psy·​chot·​ic ˌant-i-sī-ˈkät-ik, ˌan-ˌtī- 

: of, being, or involving the use of an antipsychotic

antipsychotic drugs

antipsychotic

2 of 2 noun

: any of the powerful tranquilizers (as the phenothiazines or butyrophenones) used especially to treat psychosis and believed to act by blocking dopamine nervous receptors

called also neuroleptic