apoplectic

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 The old axiom explains why administrators across the nation are practically apoplectic over the prospects if COVID-19 causes the cancellation of football this fall or so much as keeps fans out of stadiums. — Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, "How much money are college football players worth? Research shows 5-star recruits would earn big payday," 21 Apr. 2020 His threats to slap higher import tariffs on grands crus, champagnes and the like in retaliation to a new French tax on big tech firms have left Didier Guillaume, France’s Agriculture Minister, apoplectic. — Washington Post, "Trump’s Wine War Is Giving Macron a Headache," 12 Aug. 2019 While many Depression-era bankers became apoplectic at the mere mention of Franklin Roosevelt’s name, Marriner Eccles, the Utah banker who led the Fed in the 1930s, backed the New Deal’s efforts to use government spending to spur economic recovery. — Christopher W. Shaw, Harper's Magazine, "The Money Question," 30 Mar. 2020 Prior to the game, Beilein was apoplectic when asked about how to slow down LaVine, who scored 42 points in the previous meeting between the Central Division bottom-feeders. — Chris Fedor, cleveland, "Cleveland Cavaliers defenseless against Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls once again in 118-106 loss," 26 Jan. 2020 Of course, the media-Democrat complex became apoplectic at any suggestion of impropriety in Mueller’s appointment. — Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, "Do Republicans See the Strategy to Discredit the Barr Investigation?," 2 Oct. 2019 Ward’s latest setbacks gave more ammunition to fans who were apoplectic in March when the 49ers re-signed him to one-year deal with $3 million guaranteed. — Eric Branch, SFChronicle.com, "49ers see plenty of good in Jimmie Ward despite his numerous bad breaks," 17 Oct. 2019 Mr Modi’s supporters, resentful of Kashmir’s exceptionalism, were jubilant; everyone else, including, importantly, Pakistan, apoplectic. — The Economist, "India abruptly ends the last special protection enjoyed by Kashmir," 6 Aug. 2019 Before anyone gets apoplectic, realize that this is uncharted territory for both sides with unknowns. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Tom Brady’s extension avoids some awkwardness but guarantees nothing," 5 Aug. 2019

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.