Definition of mutism
:the condition of being unable to speak whether from physical, functional, or psychological cause
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Recent Examples of mutism from the Web
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After all, severe autism repels language, turns it chaotic or, in the case of autistic mutism, simply absorbs it wholesale, as a black hole does light.
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Researchers say selective mutism is caused by anxiety, not stubbornness, so many parents of children with the disorder turn to psychiatric drugs.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mutism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of mutism
French mutisme, from Latin mutus mute
Medical Dictionary
mutism
play
noun
mut·ism
\
ˈmyüt-ˌiz-əm
\
medical Definition of mutism
:the condition of being mute whether from physical, functional, or psychological cause
Learn More about mutism
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See words that rhyme with mutism Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mutism
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