hyperactive

adjective

hy·​per·​ac·​tive ˌhī-pər-ˈak-tiv 

1

: affected with or exhibiting hyperactivity

broadly : more active than is usual or desirable

2

: intricately or elaborately designed or detailed

hyperactive noun

Synonyms

• agitated
• excited
• feverish
• frenzied
• heated
• hectic
• overactive
• overwrought

Examples of hyperactive in a Sentence

the skyrocketing price of oil resulted in a wildly fluctuating, hyperactive stock market

hyperactive children who are in dire need of a guardian with a firm hand

Recent Examples on the Web

The results, published this week in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, says that lead exposure from car exhaust during children’s early development has made generations of Americans more depressed, anxious, inattentive and hyperactive. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024

The exposure made generations of Americans more depressed, anxious, inattentive or hyperactive, the study says. —Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024

Certain moments of unabashed emotion where the music swells feel attuned to the vivid realism of cinematographer Santiago Gonzalez’s hyperactive camera. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024

The most plausible answer, as proposed by the new study, is that black holes can experience bursts of hyperactive growth, followed by long periods of dormancy. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hyperactive

• bioactive
• interactive
• nonreactive
• overactive
• psychoactive
• putrefactive
• retroactive
• unattractive
• unreactive
• vasoactive
• active
• tractive

Kids Definition

hyperactive

adjective

hy·​per·​ac·​tive ˌhī-pər-ˈak-tiv 

: very active especially to an abnormal amount

hyperactivity

-ak-ˈtiv-ət-ē

noun

Medical Definition

hyperactive

1 of 2 adjective

hy·​per·​ac·​tive ˌhī-pə-ˈrak-tiv 

: affected with or exhibiting hyperactivity

Scientists suspect in certain genetically susceptible people, the immune cells remain hyperactive long after the infectious agent has been cleared from the body.

—Kathy Fackelmann, Science News

A growing number of parents suspect that the powerful stimulant Ritalin—long prescribed for its paradoxically tranquilizing effect on hyperactive children—has become a convenience for teachers seeking quiet classrooms …

—David Gates. Newsweek

broadly : more active than is usual or desirable

hyperactive

2 of 2 noun

: an individual who is hyperactive