apoplectic

adjective

ap·o·plec·tic | \ ˌa-pə-ˈplek-tik

Definition of apoplectic

1 medical : of, relating to, or causing apoplexy or stroke also : affected with, susceptible to, or showing symptoms of apoplexy or stroke

Note: Use of apoplectic in medical contexts relating to stroke still occurs but is now generally considered dated.

2a : of a kind to cause or apparently cause stroke an apoplectic rage

b : extremely enraged was apoplectic over the news

Other Words from apoplectic Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about apoplectic

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Examples of apoplectic in a Sentence

Giuliani was apoplectic when the gangster fought off murder and racketeering charges and sauntered out of court in March 1987 after a sensational acquittal to bask in the TV lights. — Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, June 2000 The quarrel was splendidly acrimonious. When Charles Perrault, now remembered for his fairy tales, rose in the French Academy in 1687 to champion modern authors, Nicolas Boileau, the arbiter of taste, waxed so apoplectic he lost his voice. — David Coward, New York Times Book Review, 27 Apr. 1997 Don Hewitt, the program's venerable executive producer, becomes positively apoplectic when I mention the subject during a conversation about Amanpour's job negotiations. The three networks had offered her the opportunity to contribute to their evening news shows as well as the their newsmagazines. — Leslie Bennetts, Vanity Fair, September 1996 She was positively apoplectic with anger when she realized she had been cheated. the coach was so apoplectic when the player missed the free throw that he threw his clipboard onto the court

Recent Examples on the Web

According to numerous reports, Trump is allegedly increasingly apoplectic at the prospect of the Republicans losing at least one chamber of congress on November 6. — Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "The Week in Washington: “There’s No Proof of Anything”," 28 Oct. 2018 Democrats remain apoplectic over how Republicans handled the probe. — Alex Ward, Vox, "Michael Cohen’s guilty plea proves the House GOP’s Russia investigation was a sham," 30 Nov. 2018 In video captured by apoplectic fans who spotted the duo at the show, Michelle (rocking a pair of white shorts) can be seen bopping right in front of the stage alongside Tina, who is equally enjoying herself. — Bridget Read, Vogue, "Michelle Obama and Tina Knowles Lawson Danced Together in Paris," 16 July 2018 Critics and preservationists, apoplectic that the plan involved the destruction of a tiny garden designed in 1977 by the landscape architect Russell Page, pressured the museum to back down. — Justin Davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "This Time, a Much More Promising Attempt to Fix the Frick," 13 Apr. 2018 Ingraham’s comments about James made executives apoplectic, sources said. — Gabriel Sherman, The Hive, "“You Don’t Attack a Kid”: Inside the Laura Ingraham Nightmare at Fox News," 5 Apr. 2018 In the United States, Trump's critics are apoplectic. — Adam Taylor, Washington Post, "Foreign critics of Trump’s travel ban face a new foe: The Supreme Court," 27 June 2018 Charleston Coach Earl Grant was understandably apoplectic, but to no avail. — Zach Schonbrun, New York Times, "March Madness: UMBC Delivers Historic Upset Over No. 1 Virginia," 17 Mar. 2018 At the same time, Trump, a former Democrat who has expressed few firm policy beliefs beyond strident nationalism, has advanced a number of policies that would have turned many Republicans apoplectic during Obama’s term. — Jonathan Tamari, Philly.com, "For traditional Republicans, immigration, tariffs show risks of 'silent bargain' with Trump," 25 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apoplectic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.