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underactive

American  
[uhn-der-ak-tiv] / ˌʌn dərˈæk tɪv /

adjective

  1. insufficiently active.

    an underactive thyroid gland.


underactive British  
/ ˌʌndərˈæktɪv /

adjective

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

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of underactive

First recorded in 1955–60; under- + active

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.

In 2004, Mrs Haider and her mother developed an underactive thyroid.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2023

"Mental illness is described as overactive emotion circuits and underactive cognitive control circuits. That's how almost every single mental illness is described."

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2023

Bland also fervently hoped testing would reveal an underactive thyroid, which can cause lethargy; both parents and her sister had been treated for thyroid disorders.

From Washington Post • Oct. 23, 2020

The condition causes the bladder to become overactive or underactive.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2018

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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