antipsychotic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Medical / Academic
Quick answer
What does “antipsychotic” mean?
A type of medication used to treat psychosis and related mental conditions like schizophrenia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of medication used to treat psychosis and related mental conditions like schizophrenia.
Any drug, agent, or substance that counteracts or suppresses the symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions, hallucinations, or severe thought disorders. Can also function adjectivally to describe such drugs or their effects.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. Differences may arise in specific brand names or prescription practices.
Connotations
Identical clinical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in professional medical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “antipsychotic” in a Sentence
to be on (an) antipsychotic(s)to treat [condition] with antipsychoticsto prescribe antipsychotics for [patient]the antipsychotic has a [sedative/weight-gain] effectVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antipsychotic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The antipsychotic effect was noted within hours.
- They reviewed the antipsychotic properties of the new compound.
American English
- The antipsychotic effect was observed within hours.
- She is on an antipsychotic regimen.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical industry reports or marketing.
Academic
Common in psychiatry, psychology, pharmacology, and medical journals.
Everyday
Used primarily by patients, caregivers, or in general health discussions about mental health treatment.
Technical
The primary register. Used with precise classifications (typical/atypical), mechanisms of action (D2 antagonism), and side-effect profiles.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antipsychotic”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “antipsychotic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antipsychotic”
- Misspelling as 'antipsycotic' (missing 'h').
- Using it as a general term for any mental health drug (e.g., for depression or anxiety).
- Incorrect pluralisation: 'antipsychotic' (singular), 'antipsychotics' (plural).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Antipsychotics primarily treat psychosis (e.g., in schizophrenia or bipolar disorder), while antidepressants treat depressive disorders.
They are not considered addictive in the same way as substances like alcohol or opioids. However, stopping them abruptly can cause severe withdrawal symptoms or relapse, so medical supervision is crucial.
It refers to a newer class of antipsychotics (e.g., risperidone, olanzapine) that generally have a different side-effect profile than older 'typical' ones (e.g., haloperidol), often with fewer motor side effects but possibly more metabolic ones.
For chronic conditions like schizophrenia, long-term or lifelong treatment is often necessary to prevent relapse. The decision is highly individual and made with a psychiatrist.
A type of medication used to treat psychosis and related mental conditions like schizophrenia.
Antipsychotic is usually technical / medical / academic in register.
Antipsychotic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ti.saɪˈkɒt.ɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.t̬i.saɪˈkɑː.t̬ɪk/ˌˌæn.taɪ-/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANTI-PSYCHO-TIC. A drug that works AGAINST (anti) PSYCHOtic symptoms (like those seen in a movie psycho).
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS A CORRECTIVE TOOL / CHEMICAL STABILIZER.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of an antipsychotic drug?