neuritis

noun

neu·​ri·​tis nu̇-ˈrī-təs How to pronounce neuritis (audio)
nyu̇-
plural neuritides nu̇-ˈri-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce neuritis (audio)
nyu̇-
 or neuritises
: an inflammatory or degenerative lesion of a nerve marked especially by pain, sensory disturbances, and impaired or lost reflexes
neuritic
nu̇-ˈri-tik How to pronounce neuritis (audio)
nyu̇-
adjective or noun

Examples of neuritis in a Sentence

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.
García, on the IL with right elbow ulnar neuritis, was scheduled to throw a bullpen Wednesday. — Kaitlyn McGrath, The Athletic, 3 July 2024 Optic neuritis is an early sign, according to the Cleveland Clinic. — Michelle Maves, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025 There’s a 50% risk of developing MS within 15 years of an episode of optic neuritis. — Katie Gutierrez, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024 The 25-year-old right-hander was limited to just 11 games (10 starts) due to multiple injuries, including a right pectoral strain and right arm neuritis, and also bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the majors throughout the season. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for neuritis

Word History

Etymology

Greek neûron "sinew, tendon, nerve" + -itis, probably after French névrite or German Neuritis

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of neuritis was in 1840

Rhymes for neuritis

See All Rhymes for neuritis

Browse Nearby Words

neuritic
neuritis
neuroactive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

neuritis

noun
neu·​ri·​tis n(y)u̇-ˈrīt-əs How to pronounce neuritis (audio)
plural neuritides -ˈrit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce neuritis (audio) or neuritises
: an inflammatory or degenerative lesion of a nerve marked especially by pain, sensory disturbances, and impaired or lost reflexes compare neuralgia
neuritic
-ˈrit-ik How to pronounce neuritis (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on neuritis

Nglish: Translation of neuritis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about neuritis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All