hyperkinetic

adjective

hy·per·ki·net·ic ˌhī-pər-kə-ˈne-tik

-kī-

Synonyms of hyperkinetic next

: of, relating to, or affected with hyperkinesis or hyperactivity

the hyperkinetic child

: 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 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 Leach deployed his hyperkinetic Air Raid offense at Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State. —

Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2022 Still, his next move is certain to generate interest far beyond the hyperkinetic fish bowl of college basketball recruiting. —

New York Times, 30 July 2022 See More

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.