parasympathetic

adjective

para·sym·pa·thet·ic | \ ˌper-ə-ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik

How to pronounce parasympathetic (audio)

, ˌpa-rə-\

Definition of parasympathetic

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of, relating to, being, or acting on the parasympathetic nervous system

parasympathetic

noun

Definition of parasympathetic (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a parasympathetic nerve

2 : parasympathetic nervous system

Examples of parasympathetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The body reflexively compensates by increasing parasympathetic activity to slow the heart rate back toward normal. — Anne R. Crecelius, The Conversation, "Why do people faint?," 20 June 2019 The parasympathetic system’s weird—that’s what the gas revs up. — Nisi Shawl, Slate Magazine, "“Slippernet”," 22 Feb. 2017 It's related to the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the balance between its branches - the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. — NOLA.com, "Optimum Performance: How hard is too hard?," 9 June 2017 After a hard workout, the parasympathetic system dominates as the body demands rest. — Charles Wallace, WSJ, "What’s Your Heart-Rate Variability? It May Be Time to Find Out," 25 June 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Those two arms are the parasympathetic and the sympathetic nervous systems, says Lawrence Creswell, a cardiac surgeon in Jackson, Miss., who studies sports cardiology. — Charles Wallace, WSJ, "What’s Your Heart-Rate Variability? It May Be Time to Find Out," 25 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parasympathetic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.