catatonic

adjective

cat·​a·​ton·​ic ˌka-tə-ˈtä-nik 

1

: of, relating to, marked by, or affected with catatonia

catatonic schizophrenia

2

: characterized by a marked lack of movement, activity, or expression

… tourists who were almost catatonic at finding themselves in their hero's presence.

—Neil Hickey

catatonic noun

catatonically

ˌka-tə-ˈtä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of catatonic

• blank
• motionless
• vacant

Examples of catatonic in a Sentence

a catatonic stare was all that the neglected resident of the nursing home seemed capable of

Recent Examples on the Web

During lab experiments, that material removed both catatonic and anionic dyes, proving its potential for wastewater treatment. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

Verity is immobile and catatonic, and Lowen learns that the family’s life is also darkened by a child’s accidental death. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

That is, unless their team-wide attention to defensive detail remains catatonic, which isn’t an acceptable solution. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Roki Sasaki’s abysmal appearance faded away in the Dodgers’ 12-7 win over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night, but only after the National League West leaders rose from a catatonic first inning. — Liana Handler follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see catatonia

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for catatonic

• anharmonic
• anionic
• avionic
• cationic
• chorionic
• cosmogonic
• diachronic
• diatonic
• electronic
• embryonic
• excitonic
• fermionic

Medical Definition

catatonic

1 of 2 adjective

cata·​ton·​ic ˌkat-ə-ˈtän-ik 

: of, relating to, marked by, or affected with catatonia

catatonic schizophrenia

catatonic rigidity

catatonic patients

catatonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

catatonic

2 of 2 noun

: a catatonic individual