adrenochrome

noun

ad·​re·​no·​chrome ə-ˈdrē-nō-ˌkrōm How to pronounce adrenochrome (audio)
: a red-colored mixture of quinones derived from epinephrine by oxidation

Examples of adrenochrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
QAnon believers falsely claim the cabal is abducting children to kill them and harvest their blood for a chemical known as adrenochrome, which is used to extend their lives. USA TODAY, 12 July 2023 The actor has taken to repeating the most grotesque falsehoods of the sprawling QAnon ideology, among them that traffickers are harvesting children’s organs and extracting the chemical compound adrenochrome from their brains before murdering them. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2023 Anna Arata, a spokesperson for Shell, confirmed the company does not manufacture or transport adrenochrome. Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2023 Representatives for Shell and Heineken told USA TODAY neither company has ever produced or transported adrenochrome. Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2023 The scene was immortalized in Terry Gilliam’s 1998 film; a YouTube clip of Johnny Depp’s character taking adrenochrome, which to date has more than 1.7 million views, has drawn thousands of comments referencing the conspiracy. Brian Friedberg, Wired, 31 July 2020

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Adrenochrom, from adreno- adreno- + -chrom -chrome

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adrenochrome was in 1940

Dictionary Entries Near adrenochrome

Cite this Entry

“Adrenochrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adrenochrome. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

adrenochrome

noun
ad·​re·​no·​chrome ə-ˈdrē-nə-ˌkrōm How to pronounce adrenochrome (audio)
: a red-colored mixture of quinones derived from epinephrine by oxidation and yielding a product like melanin on further oxidation
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