neurotoxic

adjective

neu·​ro·​tox·​ic ˌnu̇r-ō-ˈtäk-sik How to pronounce neurotoxic (audio)
ˌnyu̇r-
: toxic to the nerves or nervous tissue
neurotoxicity noun

Examples of neurotoxic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Over the years, traditional ink manufacturers have incorporated heavy metals such as barium and copper into their pigments to create a widening palette of colors, and neurotoxic agents like cadmium, lead and arsenic have been documented in some inks in high concentrations. New York Times, 19 June 2022 Brown Widow Spider The Brown Widow Spider The brown widow spider—like its cousins the black widow, red back spider, and katipo—carries a neurotoxic venom which can cause a set of symptoms known as Latrodectism. Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 3 May 2023 Methylmercury is a neurotoxic compound of mercury and carbon that bioaccumulates in the marine food chain. Gia Mora, Treehugger, 8 Mar. 2023 Exposure to heavy metals in baby food became a growing concern for parents after Healthy Babies Bright Futures, a coalition of advocates committed to reducing babies' exposures to neurotoxic chemicals, tested 168 baby foods from major manufacturers in the US. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 29 Sep. 2021 Eagles are also poisoned by eating baited dead animals laced with a neurotoxic pesticide called carbofuran. Lilly Price, baltimoresun.com, 28 Feb. 2022 Ibotenic acid is considered by some to be neurotoxic. Troy Farah, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2021 Excessive exposure to essential nutrients can also be dangerous: High levels of manganese can be neurotoxic, and too much iron and copper increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. WIRED, 21 Nov. 2022 Some elapids have hemotoxic properties, and some vipers have neurotoxic properties. CNN, 29 Oct. 2022 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

neuro- + toxic entry 1, probably after French névrotoxique

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of neurotoxic was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near neurotoxic

Cite this Entry

“Neurotoxic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neurotoxic. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

Medical Definition

neurotoxic

adjective
neu·​ro·​tox·​ic ˌn(y)u̇r-ə-ˈtäk-sik How to pronounce neurotoxic (audio)
: toxic to the nerves or nervous tissue
neurotoxicity noun
plural neurotoxicities
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