Synonyms of catatonic

catatonic

adjective

ˌka-tə-ˈtä-nik 

as in blank

not expressing any emotion

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blank
• motionless
• vacant
• empty
• expressionless
• impassive
• enigmatic
• numb
• stolid
• dull
• vague
• deadpan
• restrained
• inexpressive
• detached
• mysterious
• wooden
• static
• vacuous
• vapid
• inscrutable
• unresponsive
• cold
• still
• reserved
• impenetrable
• apathetic
• phlegmatic
• aloof
• cool
• indifferent
• reticent
• taciturn

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• engaged
• active
• expressive
• interested
• demonstrative
• responsive
• dynamic
• busy
• alive
• energetic
• exuberant
• animated
• vivacious
• bright
• effervescent
• expansive
• lively
• emotional
• eloquent
• revelatory
• revealing
• theatrical
• melodramatic
• unrestrained
• gestural
• unreserved
• gestic
• gesticulative
• gesticulatory
• gesticulant

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of catatonic

In Caveat, Isaac (Johnny French) and Olga (Leila Sykes) are both recovering from traumatic events that have left them impaired — him an amnesiac, her intermittently catatonic. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 May 2026

By the 1950s, these three subtypes were known as paranoid, hebephrenic, and catatonic, respectively. — Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026

As the days wear on, America’s energy embargo—on a country already hollowed out by chronic fuel shortages and a crippling inability to generate reliable electricity—has driven life on the Caribbean island into a near-catatonic state. — Leonardo Padura, Time, 23 Apr. 2026

As a result, the city has sometimes been typecast as a boring financial bro with catatonic cuisine to match—a place with too many steakhouses and little else to hang its culinary hat on. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026