catatonic

cat·a·ton·ic | \ ˌka-tə-ˈtä-nik

How to pronounce catatonic (audio)

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Definition of catatonic

1 : of, relating to, marked by, or affected with catatonia catatonic schizophrenia

2 : characterized by a marked lack of movement, activity, or expression tourists who were almost catatonic at finding themselves in their hero's presence— Neil Hickey

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Examples of catatonic in a Sentence

a catatonic stare was all that the neglected resident of the nursing home seemed capable of

Recent Examples on the Web Most of the state laws prohibiting the use of salvinorin A were passed in the mid-2000s after videos of teenagers smoking salvia and going catatonic or losing control of their behaviors and emotions began circulating on the web. — Daniel Oberhaus, Wired, "This Is My Brain on Salvia," 14 Oct. 2020 The most recent wave brings her from Alabama to stay with Gifty, bedridden in the catatonic thrall of a major depressive episode as Gifty searches for answers in mice. — Barbara Vandenburgh, USA TODAY, "Review: Yaa Gyasi’s 'Transcendent Kingdom' a profound story of faith, addiction and loss," 1 Sep. 2020 Maggie’s father, Peter, goes emotionally catatonic upon Iris’ unexpected death. — Patty Rhule, USA TODAY, "Review: Love, sex, grief and family make 'All My Mother's Lovers' a melancholy debut," 25 May 2020 Surrounded by a chorus of medics and nurses, the adult Kay (Mr Grässle) lies in a catatonic state. — The Economist, "A new retelling of “The Snow Queen” is aimed squarely at adults," 31 Dec. 2019 Soon after a curiously catatonic patient mysteriously appears in a chaotic emergency psych ward, bodies start dropping. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, "Review: Psychology, the supernatural and Shane Carruth meet in incoherent ‘The Dead Center’," 10 Oct. 2019 Williams plays a doctor who has, at least temporarily, helped patients come out of decades-long catatonic states. — Dorrine Mendoza, CNN, "Robin Williams: His advice still matters," 11 Aug. 2019 Last December, Brighid FitzGibbon’s son, Evan, entered a catatonic state. — Jocelyn Wiener, SFChronicle.com, "Calif. counties inconsistent in offering critical treatment for early psychosis," 5 July 2019 The film shows nearly catatonic elderly people responding to musical stimulation as though animated by a power switch. — Eric Zorn, chicagotribune.com, "Music might someday unlock the mind's memories, so make your playlist now," 14 June 2019

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

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Dictionary Entries near catatonic

catathermometer

catathymic crisis

catatonic schizophrenia

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Cite this Entry

“Catatonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catatonic. Accessed 17 Jan. 2021.

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