hyperkinetic

adjective

hy·​per·​ki·​net·​ic ˌhī-pər-kə-ˈne-tik How to pronounce hyperkinetic (audio)
-kī-
1
: of, relating to, or affected with hyperkinesis or hyperactivity
the hyperkinetic child
2
: characterized by fast-paced or frenetic activity
a hyperkinetic movie

Did you know?

Since the prefix hyper- means "above, beyond", hyperkinetic describes motion beyond the usual. The word is usually applied to children, and often describes the condition of almost uncontrollable activity or muscular movements called attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder *(ADHD). Kids with ADHD are usually not just hyperkinetic but also inattentive, forgetful, and flighty. Though they're often treated with drugs, many experts believe there are better ways of dealing with the problem. Lots of people now shorten both *hyperactive and hyperkinetic to simply hyper ("He's been hyper all morning"), but usually don't mean it too seriously.

Examples of hyperkinetic in a Sentence

an elderly couple who are unable to control their hyperkinetic grandson
Recent Examples on the Web And then, when Dalton does spring into action, its a hyperkinetic mixed-martial-arts melee that’s a blur and an adrenaline rush. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2024 Stiff Person Syndrome: A Rare Neurological Disorder, Heterogeneous in Clinical Presentation and Not Easy to Treat Tremor and other hyperkinetic movements. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 This new world has yet to be explored in fiction, and Neon Empire is an expose of this creative, hyperkinetic, and often violent world. William Earl, Variety, 25 May 2023 This new world has yet to be explored in fiction, and Neon Empire is an exposé of this creative, hyperkinetic, and often violent world. Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 30 May 2023 But a close reading of that early, critical academic paper shows that Peretti understood what Smith, despite two decades working in online media, appears to miss: that in a hyperkinetic media culture like ours, the medium becomes the message, and form shapes content. Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 18 Apr. 2023 Fox is tall, hyperkinetic and gregarious, with a booming voice and reddish-gray goatee. Andrew S. Lewis, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2023 The hyperkinetic production, directed by Milli Bhatia, arrives here from London with two dazzling actresses, Tia Bannon and Leanne Henlon. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2023 MythBusters, the Discovery Channel series that uses scientific method to deconstruct and debunk urban legends, is giving museumgoers the chance to join the program’s hyperkinetic quest for truth. Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2012

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hyperkinetic.' 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

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hyperkinetic was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near hyperkinetic

Cite this Entry

“Hyperkinetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyperkinetic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

hyperkinetic

adjective
hy·​per·​ki·​net·​ic -ˈnet-ik How to pronounce hyperkinetic (audio)
: of, relating to, or affected with hyperkinesis or hyperactivity
the hyperkinetic child
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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