adrenergic

adjective

ad·​ren·​er·​gic ˌa-drə-ˈnər-jik How to pronounce adrenergic (audio)
1
: liberating, activated by, or involving adrenaline or a substance like adrenaline
an adrenergic nerve
2
: resembling adrenaline especially in physiological action
adrenergic drugs
adrenergically
ˌa-drə-ˈnər-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce adrenergic (audio)
adverb

Examples of adrenergic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For instance, cholinergic nerves [which release a chemical signal called acetylcholine] powerfully drive colon cancer, but those same nerves slow down pancreatic cancer, which is driven by adrenergic nerves [which release adrenaline]. — Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2025 Currently, non-stimulant options are limited to mainly norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. — New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

adren- + -ergic

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of adrenergic was in 1934

Phrases Containing adrenergic

Rhymes for adrenergic

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Browse Nearby Words

adrenergic
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Cite this Entry

“Adrenergic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adrenergic. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

adrenergic

adjective
ad·​ren·​er·​gic ˌad-rə-ˈnər-jik How to pronounce adrenergic (audio)
1
: liberating or activated by adrenaline or a substance like adrenaline
adrenergic nerve fibers
compare cholinergic sense 1, noradrenergic
2
: resembling adrenaline especially in physiological action
adrenergic drugs
adrenergically
-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce adrenergic (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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