para·sym·pa·thet·ic
ˌper-ə-ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik 
ˌpa-rə-
: of, relating to, being, or acting on the parasympathetic nervous system
1
: a parasympathetic nerve
Examples of parasympathetic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Healing frequencies describe sounds and vibrations, usually in the 25 to 400 Hz range, that have been linked to measurable nervous system changes like lower cortisol, slower heart rate and a shift toward the parasympathetic rest-and-digest state.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024
Parasympathetic has two other states though- the rest and digest and according to the Polyvagal Theory, the ventral vagal branch of the parasympathetic which is social engagement.
—Womensmedia, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for parasympathetic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The goal is to activate parasympathetic pathways tied to calming the stress response, improving heart rate variability and supporting relaxation.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Healing frequencies describe sounds and vibrations, usually in the 25 to 400 Hz range, that have been linked to measurable nervous system changes like lower cortisol, slower heart rate and a shift toward the parasympathetic rest-and-digest state.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
Noun
There are two parts of the nervous system — the sympathetic and the parasympathetic, said Beth Oller, M.D., a family physician with Rooks County Health Center in Stockton, Kansas.
—Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024
Parasympathetic has two other states though- the rest and digest and according to the Polyvagal Theory, the ventral vagal branch of the parasympathetic which is social engagement.
—Womensmedia, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for parasympathetic
Cite this Entry
“Parasympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasympathetic. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
parasympathetic
1 of 2 adjective
para·sym·pa·thet·ic
ˌpar-ə-ˌsim-pə-ˈthet-ik
: of, relating to, being, or acting on the parasympathetic nervous system
parasympathetic fibers of the vascular wall
parasympathetic drugs
parasympathetic
2 of 2 noun1
: a parasympathetic nerve
this sacral group of parasympathetics supplies fibers to the external genitalia—A. C. Guyton
A. C. GuytonLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
