antipsychotic

American  

[an-tee-sahy-kot-ik, an-tahy-] / ˌæn ti saɪˈkɒt ɪk, ˌæn taɪ- /

adjective

1. of or relating to any of various substances used in the treatment of psychosis, especially schizophrenia, and acute or severe states of mania, depression, or paranoia.

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noun

1. Also called neuroleptic, major tranquilizer. any such substance, as the phenothiazines.

antipsychotic British  

/ ˌæntɪsaɪˈkɒtɪk /

adjective

1. preventing or treating psychosis

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noun

1. any antipsychotic drug, such as chlorpromazine: used to treat such conditions as schizophrenia

Etymology

Origin of antipsychotic

First recorded in 1950–55; anti- + psychotic

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

antipsychotic

The team also examined an FDA-approved antipsychotic drug that is capable of increasing PP2A activity.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 6, 2026

In that case, Judge Keith Ellison defined “heat-sensitive” broadly, covering people taking antipsychotic, anticholinergic, or diuretic drugs, along with anyone diagnosed with psychiatric conditions, obesity, diabetes, or hypertension, among other things.

From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026

Effective antipsychotic medications, they argued, were those that blocked these dopamine receptors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Defence counsel Ian Duguid KC said Manners was currently getting antipsychotic medication and told the court: "Whatever personality disorder he is afflicted with it is not one that affects his responsibility for the crime."

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

An assortment of antipsychotic medicines was prescribed, and he improved gradually—but never enough, apparently, to merit discharge.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee