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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of catatonic
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
Over time, Jones made fewer contributions in the studio and onstage, becoming a catatonic drug casualty.
—
Marc Ballon,
Los Angeles Times,
20 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
This experience has left Morrissey in a catatonic state.
—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catatonic
Leonardo Padura,
Time,
23 Apr. 2026
Over time, Jones made fewer contributions in the studio and onstage, becoming a catatonic drug casualty.
—
Marc Ballon,
Los Angeles Times,
20 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
This experience has left Morrissey in a catatonic state.
—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catatonic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catatonic
Adjective
-
Recent photos taken of the portion of the Kennedy Center still hidden by the tarp show the blank space where the sitting president’s name—which was added to the building in December of 2025—used to be.
-
Floor-to-ceiling shelving can turn a blank wall into valuable storage, tall drapery panels can make even the most modest historic structure feel expansive, and oversized artwork can help the eye travel through a room in a way that feels immersive and intentional.
Adjective
-
Her bus got within 2 miles of the stadium after 25 minutes, and then sat motionless for 30 minutes at Raytown Road and Ozark Road intersection.
-
Hodges then fell to the ground and appeared motionless.
Adjective
-
For decades, the north campus had no resident population, remaining a collection of vacant deteriorating buildings and residential programs for physical and mental health recovery.
-
Then, seven years ago, Cohen snagged a rare vacant plot for sale—modest in scale, at roughly half an acre, but blessed with pristine ocean frontage and perfect for the family escape of his imagination.
Cite this Entry
“Catatonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catatonic. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
