CATATONIC Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

catatonic

adjective

ˌka-tə-ˈtä-nik

Definition of catatonic

as in blank

not expressing any emotion a catatonic stare was all that the neglected resident of the nursing home seemed capable of

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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 In Caveat, Isaac (Johnny French) and Olga (Leila Sykes) are both recovering from traumatic events that have left them impaired — him an amnesiac, her intermittently catatonic. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 May 2026 By the 1950s, these three subtypes were known as paranoid, hebephrenic, and catatonic, respectively. — Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catatonic

Adjective

Seko is advising shippers to build seven- to 10-day-plus buffers into east China bookings and prepare for potential port omissions, blank sailings and cargo diversions to alternative gateways including Qingdao, Busan and Hong Kong.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
The familiar last name and near-blank political slate pulled him in.

— Saige Miller, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of blank

Adjective

The new experiment used a single calcium-40 ion held almost motionless inside an electromagnetic ion trap.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Some rolled and splashed in the shallows, regulating their body temperature after lying in the Arctic sun, others lay motionless, deep in sleep.

— Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of motionless

Adjective

Per the current listing, the site is now vacant and shovel-ready for building out a seven-bedroom, seven-plus-bath behemoth, all connected by a private elevator.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026
The vacant 113,464-square-foot building sits at the northeast corner of Bowes Road and South McLean Boulevard.

— Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of vacant

Browse Nearby Words

catastrophic

catatonic

catbird seat

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“Catatonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catatonic. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of catatonic

adjective

Example Sentences

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