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

Keep scrolling for more

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

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 That disaster nearly happened in Houston, as Durant and Curry pointed fingers at each other over blown defensive assignments and Kerr looked and sounded apoplectic before Golden State gutted out a Game 7 win on the road. — Ben Golliver, SI.com, "Warriors' Greatness May Annoy Some but They Aren't Going Anywhere," 9 June 2018 On Sunday night, the party’s political leader, Luigi Di Maio, seemed genuinely apoplectic. — Jason Horowitz, New York Times, "Italy’s Populist Parties, on Precipice of Power, Fail to Form Government," 27 May 2018 If this ever happened to Hillary Clinton, the media would be apoplectic. — Fox News, "Reps. Jordan, Gaetz on demand for second special counsel," 23 May 2018 Some of this comes through in the three women themselves, and in particular Marziyeh’s apoplectic brother, who is beside himself with the dishonor that his sister has brought upon the family for wanting to become an actress. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "This year’s Cannes Film Festival was a plea against complacency," 18 May 2018 When the flight attendant in first class served macadamia nuts to Cho in an unopened bag, rather than on a plate, the executive daughter became apoplectic. — Anna Fifield, Washington Post, "Korean Air ‘nut rage’ heiress resurfaces as Olympics VIP while her former target scrubs toilets," 7 Feb. 2018 One Republican characterized Obsitnik as apoplectic over losing Tesei’s support. — Neil Vigdor, courant.com, "Erin Stewart, Peter Tesei Forge Unusual Alliance In Governor's Race," 24 Apr. 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.