catatonic

adjective

cat·​a·​ton·​ic ˌka-tə-ˈtä-nik How to pronounce catatonic (audio)
Synonyms of catatonic
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 How to pronounce catatonic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of catatonic

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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
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.
But Gargano was still catatonic. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026 This experience has left Morrissey in a catatonic state. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2026 By the 1950s, these three subtypes were known as paranoid, hebephrenic, and catatonic, respectively. — Literary Hub, 28 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 See All Example Sentences for catatonic

Word History

Etymology

see catatonia

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of catatonic was in 1904

Rhymes for catatonic

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Browse Nearby Words

catatonia
catatonic
catatonic schizophrenia
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Cite this Entry

“Catatonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catatonic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

catatonic

1 of 2 adjective
cata·​ton·​ic ˌkat-ə-ˈtän-ik How to pronounce catatonic (audio)
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected with catatonia
catatonic schizophrenia
catatonic rigidity
catatonic patients
catatonically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce catatonic (audio)
adverb

catatonic

2 of 2 noun
: a catatonic individual
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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