tricyclic

1 of 2

adjective

tri·​cy·​clic (ˌ)trī-ˈsī-klik How to pronounce tricyclic (audio)
-ˈsi-klik
: being a chemical with three usually fused rings in the molecular structure and especially a tricyclic antidepressant
tricyclic compounds
a tricyclic antidepressant drug

tricyclic

2 of 2

noun

Examples of tricyclic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The drugs were mostly the older tricyclic antidepressants. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2012 These include SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, anticholinesterase inhibitors, beta blockers and sleep medications. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2021 Another class, called the tricyclic antidepressants, are also useful. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 21 Dec. 2022 Alcohol and certain medications (diuretics, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, and some cold and allergy remedies) can increase susceptibility as well. Amy Ragsdale, Outside Online, 18 June 2019 First there were tricyclic antidepressants, then there were SSRIs like Prozac and SNRIs like Cymbalta, drugs that target neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2022 These medications can include tricyclic antidepressants, blood pressure medications, antiseizure drugs, and calcitonin gene receptor peptide (CGRP) antagonists, among others, as SELF has previously reported. Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, 16 Sep. 2022 Officials said that marijuana, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines were detected during a urine toxicological test. Gina Martinez, CBS News, 4 Sep. 2022 Ten different substances were found in a preliminary urine toxicology test, including THC, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and opioids, according to the Attorney General's Office of Colombia. Shafiq Najib, Peoplemag, 3 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tricyclic.' 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

Adjective

tri- + cyclic

First Known Use

Adjective

1891, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tricyclic was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near tricyclic

Cite this Entry

“Tricyclic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tricyclic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

tricyclic

1 of 2 adjective
tri·​cy·​clic (ˈ)trī-ˈsī-klik, -ˈsik-lik How to pronounce tricyclic (audio)
: being a chemical with three usually fused rings in the molecular structure and especially a tricyclic antidepressant

tricyclic

2 of 2 noun
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