mutism
noun
mut·ism
ˈmyü-ˌti-zəm 
: the condition of being unable to speak whether from physical, functional, or psychological cause
Examples of mutism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hypnotists told me stories of all kinds of miracles that came from stage shows: chronic pain vanished or a years-long mutism reversed.
—
Emily Latimer, Longreads, 25 Jan. 2024
Even at home, children with selective mutism may fall silent when anyone other than a family member is present.
—Marisa Cohen, Parents, 18 Sep. 2023
The panel includes generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety disorder, phobias and selective mutism under the category of anxiety.
—Simrin Singh, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2022
Many mental disorders fall under the greater anxiety umbrella: phobias, social anxiety, PTSD, OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia and even childhood disorders like separation anxiety and selective mutism.
—Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2021
Ironically, mutism is only a trait while held in captivity; in the wild, the birds can be quite vocal.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2022
Federico Atehortúa Arteaga’s essay film connects the 1906 execution of four men charged with attempting to kill the president of Colombia, his mother’s mutism and the origins of Colombian cinema.
—Peter Libbey, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2020
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.
—Eli Gottlieb, chicagotribune.com, 30 May 2017
Emily Latimer, Longreads, 25 Jan. 2024
Even at home, children with selective mutism may fall silent when anyone other than a family member is present.
—Marisa Cohen, Parents, 18 Sep. 2023
The panel includes generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety disorder, phobias and selective mutism under the category of anxiety.
—Simrin Singh, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2022
Many mental disorders fall under the greater anxiety umbrella: phobias, social anxiety, PTSD, OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia and even childhood disorders like separation anxiety and selective mutism.
—Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2021
Ironically, mutism is only a trait while held in captivity; in the wild, the birds can be quite vocal.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2022
Federico Atehortúa Arteaga’s essay film connects the 1906 execution of four men charged with attempting to kill the president of Colombia, his mother’s mutism and the origins of Colombian cinema.
—Peter Libbey, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2020
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.
—Eli Gottlieb, chicagotribune.com, 30 May 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mutism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Mutism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutism. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
mutism
noun
mut·ism
ˈmyüt-ˌiz-əm
: the condition of being unable to speak whether from physical, functional, or psychological cause see also selective mutism
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