arrhythmic

adjective

ar·​rhyth·​mic ā-ˈrit͟h-mik How to pronounce arrhythmic (audio)
1
: lacking rhythm or regularity
To assist my arrhythmic descents I'd been swinging my arms and shoulders too wildly.Kenny Moore
The conductor-less orchestra pit produces arrhythmic and atonal sounds …Josef Woodard
2
: of, relating to, characterized by, or resulting from arrhythmia
… less than 10 percent of untreated patients develop cardiac problems such as heart block, with its resultant arrhythmic heartbeatThomas J. Daniels and Richard C. Falco

Examples of arrhythmic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The constant, arrhythmic flickers make for a hypnotic light show. Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 27 Sep. 2024 Audiences may be divided by the film’s arrhythmic storytelling and third-act plunge into outright, impressionistic disorder — but adventurous distributors should see its talking-point potential, while a main competition berth at Karlovy Vary will kick off a long festival run. Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 July 2024 Supplemental unsolicited percussion was provided by the audience, who dropped no less than five phones on the floor at adventurously arrhythmic intervals throughout the performance. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 22 June 2024 Five episodes in, Masters of the Air’s narrative rhythms are growing less syncopated and more, well, arrhythmic. Chris Klimek, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for arrhythmic 

Word History

Etymology

Greek árrhythmos "lacking rhythm, unrhythmical" (from a- a- entry 2 + -rrhythmos, adjective derivative of rhythmós rhythm) + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of arrhythmic was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near arrhythmic

Cite this Entry

“Arrhythmic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrhythmic. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

arrhythmic

adjective
ar·​rhyth·​mic -mik How to pronounce arrhythmic (audio)
1
: lacking rhythm or regularity
arrhythmic locomotor activity
2
: of, relating to, characterized by, or resulting from arrhythmia
arrhythmic risk
arrhythmic death

More from Merriam-Webster on arrhythmic

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