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psychotropic

American  
[sahy-koh-troh-pik] / ˌsaɪ koʊˈtroʊ pɪk /

adjective

  1. affecting mental activity, behavior, or perception, as a mood-altering drug.

noun

  1. a psychotropic drug, as a tranquilizer, sedative, or antidepressant.

psychotropic British  
/ ˌsaɪkəʊˈtrɒpɪk /

adjective

  1. another word for psychoactive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of psychotropic

First recorded in 1945–50; psycho- + -tropic

Compare meaning

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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.

Her recent reporting has focused on the overprescription of psychotropic drugs in America.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

Another study cited about the advertising of psychotropic medications for youth was not written by the listed author, the university that employs him told AFP and Reuters.

From BBC • May 30, 2025

It also was ordered that he receive psychotropic medication.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2024

Measuring the psychotropic and other properties of a particular cultivar takes expensive DNA tests, DeAngelo explains.

From National Geographic • Oct. 23, 2023

By keeping to my program he could stay off mind-numbing psychotropic medication if he kept up his megavitamins and minerals.

From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Solomon, Steve

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.