lobotomy
noun
lo·bot·o·my
lō-ˈbä-tə-mē 
plural lobotomies
: surgical severance of nerve fibers connecting the frontal lobes to the thalamus that has been performed especially formerly chiefly to treat mental illness
Examples of lobotomy in a Sentence
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Commanders get their defensive leader back Wagner’s impact last season epitomized what the staff sought in veteran additions for a team coming off a four-win season and needing a cultural lobotomy.
—
Ben Standig, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
As the film concludes, Dr. Cawley and Dr. Sheehan exchange a glance before Andrew (a.k.a. Teddy) is apprehended by guards, which indicates that he will be forced to undergo a lobotomy to subdue his violent behavior.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Rice’s description of lobotomies was, in a word, false.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 5 Dec. 2024
Taking the same medicine to treat two different conditions is two different treatments, just as using a scalpel to remove a brain tumor is a different treatment than using a scalpel to perform a lobotomy.
—The Editors, National Review, 5 Dec. 2024
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Ben Standig, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
As the film concludes, Dr. Cawley and Dr. Sheehan exchange a glance before Andrew (a.k.a. Teddy) is apprehended by guards, which indicates that he will be forced to undergo a lobotomy to subdue his violent behavior.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Rice’s description of lobotomies was, in a word, false.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 5 Dec. 2024
Taking the same medicine to treat two different conditions is two different treatments, just as using a scalpel to remove a brain tumor is a different treatment than using a scalpel to perform a lobotomy.
—The Editors, National Review, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lobotomy
Cite this Entry
“Lobotomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lobotomy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lobotomy
noun
lo·bot·o·my
lō-ˈbät-ə-mē
plural lobotomies
: surgical severance of nerve fibers connecting the frontal lobes to the thalamus that has been performed especially formerly chiefly to treat mental illness
called also leukotomy
compare lobectomyLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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