underactive

American  

[uhn-der-ak-tiv] / ˌʌn dərˈæk tɪv /

adjective

1. insufficiently active.

   an underactive thyroid gland.

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underactive British  

/ ˌʌndərˈæktɪv /

adjective

1. (of the thyroid or adrenal glands) not functioning at full capacity

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Other Word Forms

• underactiveness
  noun
• underactivity
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of underactive

First recorded in 1955–60; under- + active

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

underactive

Based on a physical examination, other symptoms and medical history, the health practitioner suspects that the patient could be suffering from any of the following: anemia, an underactive thyroid or diabetes.

From Salon ● Feb. 7, 2024

Some attributed her symptoms to menopause; others said her thyroid was malfunctioning and prescribed varying amounts of medication to treat fluctuating episodes of underactive or overactive thyroid, which can occur when the gland is inflamed.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 16, 2021

Although people often associate underactive — longer and overstretched — muscles with urinary incontinence, experts emphasized that the overactive muscles, which are also weak and not coordinated, could be to blame.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 18, 2021

A further theory is that it may be caused by an underactive immune system or one sent into freefall by the original virus.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2021

Conversely, in hypercalcemia, a condition characterized by abnormally high levels of calcium, the nervous system is underactive, which results in lethargy, sluggish reflexes, constipation and loss of appetite, confusion, and in severe cases, coma.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

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