Cushing's syndrome

noun

: an abnormal condition caused by excess levels of corticosteroids and especially cortisol in the body due either to hyperfunction of the adrenal gland (as from adrenal adenoma or hypersecretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland) or to prolonged use of corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone) and that is characterized by a variety of signs and symptoms including a full, rounded face with plethora, fatty deposits in the face, neck, and upper back, truncal obesity, easy bruising, fatigue, muscle weakness, and hypertension see cushing's disease

Examples of Cushing's syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Too much steroid in the bloodstream can cause Cushing's syndrome, a hormonal disorder caused by high cortisol levels, or increase the risk of side effects like high blood pressure or fluid retention.12 7. —Ross Phan, Verywell Health, 9 Feb. 2026

Cushing's syndrome can also cause high blood pressure, bone loss and sometimes type 2 diabetes, per Mayo Clinic. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025

However, certain conditions like Cushing's syndrome, adrenal cancer, osteoporosis, and obesity can raise your risk of developing one. —Joy Emeh, Health, 9 Aug. 2024

More:Zinc is an important nutrient, but get it from food, not supplements, experts say Bruising can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions or bleeding disorders such as cirrhosis, von Willebrand disease, Cushing's syndrome, or hemophilia. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Cushing's syndrome

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome

Medical Definition

Cushing's syndrome

noun

: an abnormal condition caused by excess levels of corticosteroids and especially cortisol in the body due either to hyperfunction of the adrenal gland (as from adrenal adenoma or hypersecretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland) or to prolonged use of corticosteroid medications (as prednisone) and that is characterized by a variety of signs and symptoms including a change in appearance marked by moon face with plethora and truncal obesity, easy bruising, fatigue, muscle weakness, and hypertension

called also adrenogenital syndrome

compare cushing's disease, hyperadrenocorticism