catatonic
adjective
cat·a·ton·ic
ˌka-tə-ˈtä-nik 
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
Neil Hickey
catatonic
noun
Synonyms
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
Remember how Leland and Sheryl kidnapped Andy and kept him catatonic in his closet?
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 23 May 2024
Rather shockingly for anyone who hadn’t read the publicity beforehand, Ruby shows up the next day covered in blood and practically catatonic, having been raped by the neighbor, a sequence Merlant doesn’t show except in little flash cuts to suggest its violence.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
During a crucial scene, Snoop is catatonic, tongue lolling out in distress after being drugged.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 20 Feb. 2024
Diaw’s often catatonic expression communicates both rage and resolute purposefulness.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 29 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catatonic 
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 23 May 2024
Rather shockingly for anyone who hadn’t read the publicity beforehand, Ruby shows up the next day covered in blood and practically catatonic, having been raped by the neighbor, a sequence Merlant doesn’t show except in little flash cuts to suggest its violence.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
During a crucial scene, Snoop is catatonic, tongue lolling out in distress after being drugged.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 20 Feb. 2024
Diaw’s often catatonic expression communicates both rage and resolute purposefulness.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 29 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catatonic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catatonic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near catatonic
Cite this Entry
“Catatonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catatonic. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
catatonic
1 of 2 adjective
cata·ton·ic
ˌkat-ə-ˈtän-ik
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected with catatonia
catatonic schizophrenia
catatonic rigidity
catatonic patients
catatonic
2 of 2 noun
: a catatonic individual
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