electroconvulsive

adjective

elec·​tro·​con·​vul·​sive i-ˌlek-trō-kən-ˈvəl-siv How to pronounce electroconvulsive (audio)
: of, relating to, or involving convulsive response to electroshock
electroconvulsive shocks

Examples of electroconvulsive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Her doctors attempted a range of treatments, including drugs, electroconvulsive shocks, seclusion and cold therapy (where she was wrapped in freezing blankets and strapped onto a bed)—most of which, according to Linehan, probably hurt more than helped. Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2022 When doctors suggested electroconvulsive treatment, Antrim recoiled, viewing this as the end of the line. Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2021 The documents can't be used to authorize inpatient treatment, experimental mental health research, psycho-surgery or electroconvulsive treatment. Meg Kissinger, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2021 Beginning in 1938, electroconvulsive therapy was thought to be the only effective modern treatment for depression, but the procedure sometimes caused memory loss, among other side effects. Mandy Oaklander, Time, 27 July 2017 Despite more-accepting public attitudes toward mental-health care, inpatient psychiatric units continue to evoke frightening images of patients strapped to beds, electroconvulsive therapy and rooms with padded walls. Nathaniel Morris, Washington Post, 23 July 2017 Fearing that his illness was intractable — despite medication, a hospital stay and electroconvulsive therapy — Mr. Freeman traveled to Peru for shamanic healing. Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 11 May 2017 Some professionals attest that electroconvulsive treatments work better than medication, but scientists have done little research in this area. Dr. Manny Alvarez, Fox News, 2 June 2017 Prescribing medication has been deemed ineffective, and electroconvulsive therapy is considered unethical. Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'electroconvulsive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of electroconvulsive was in 1943

Dictionary Entries Near electroconvulsive

Cite this Entry

“Electroconvulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electroconvulsive. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

electroconvulsive

adjective
elec·​tro·​con·​vul·​sive i-ˌlek-trō-kən-ˈvəl-siv How to pronounce electroconvulsive (audio)
: of, relating to, producing, or involving a convulsive response to a shock of electricity
electroconvulsive shocks
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