syncope

noun

syn·​co·​pe ˈsiŋ-kə-(ˌ)pē 

ˈsin-

1

: loss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain : faint

2

: the loss of one or more sounds or letters in the interior of a word (as in fo'c'sle for forecastle)

syncopal

ˈsiŋ-kə-pəl 

ˈsin-

adjective

Synonyms of syncope

• trance
• faint
• daze
• swim

Examples of syncope in a Sentence

syncope has been reported in a small percentage of patients taking the drug

Recent Examples on the Web

Too much laughter may cause laugh syncope, a rare condition characterized by a transient loss of consciousness and postural tone due to inadequate blood flow to the brain. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

In some cases, if the blood pressure is too low, fainting (syncope) may occur.4 Fainting is a transient loss of consciousness caused by a decrease in oxygen and nutrients reaching the brain. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 2 Aug. 2025

Redford, the host and producer of his weekly podcast, Vet Life, added heart disease and heart arrhythmias—where the heart beats too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm—can also cause syncope. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025

About 40% of adults will experience vasovagal syncope in their lifetime. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 8 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek synkopē, literally, cutting short, from synkoptein to cut short, from syn- + koptein to cut — more at capon

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for syncope

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Kids Definition

syncope

noun

syn·​co·​pe ˈsiŋ-kə-(ˌ)pē 

ˈsin-

1

: faint entry 3, swoon entry 2 sense 1

2

: the loss of one or more sounds or letters in the middle of a word (as in fo'c'sle for forecastle)

Medical Definition

syncope

noun

syn·​co·​pe ˈsiŋ-kə-pē, ˈsin- 

: loss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain : faint