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Synonyms

arthritic

American  
[ahr-thrit-ik] / ɑrˈθrɪt ɪk /

adjective

  1. relating to, having, or experiencing arthritis.

  2. creaky, slow-moving, misshapen, etc., as if affected with arthritis: The road was overhung with what looked like arthritic trees, warped and bent to the whims of the wind.

    The next few days passed at the speed of an arthritic tortoise.

    The road was overhung with what looked like arthritic trees, warped and bent to the whims of the wind.


noun

  1. a person with arthritis.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of arthritic

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin arthrīticus, from Greek arthrītikós; replacing Middle English artetik, from Old French artetique, from Latin, as above; see arthr-, -itic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Vonn had retired in 2019, her body battered by repeated crashes, her right knee arthritic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

O’Neal was playing with a badly aching arthritic big toe, a sprained wrist and a handful of unlisted bangs and bruises.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2025

The study found that treating arthritic mice with RvT4 reduced blood vessel inflammation by re-programming macrophages -- a group of white blood cells that accumulate in the diseased vessels -- to release stored lipids.

From Science Daily • Feb. 5, 2024

Kassam points to plenty of other examples, including reduced arthritic pain and a lower risk of urinary tract infections.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2024

I’d tripped over an aboveground root bent like an arthritic finger and picked up a limp.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

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