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
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 proggy, hyperactive aesthetic of Hiromi’s most recent music, via her Sonicwonder band — trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, bassist Hadrien Feraud, and drummer Gene Coye, an Evanston native — takes cues from video game scores.
—
Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
The condition is also being recognized more in adults, but just exhibiting hyperactive or impulsive behavior could mean many things.
—Christina Caron, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Lead Exposure In Children Caused Millions Of US Psychiatric Cases And Must End
By Sean Duke
Science Editor
0
The co-author of a new landmark study that says lead exposure caused 151 million Americans to become depressed, anxious, inattentive or hyperactive has called for it to be banned.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Last year's hyperactive Atlantic hurricane season received a boost from climate troublemaker La Niña, a cooling of Pacific Ocean water that forecasters now say is weakening.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hyperactive
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Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
The condition is also being recognized more in adults, but just exhibiting hyperactive or impulsive behavior could mean many things.
—Christina Caron, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Lead Exposure In Children Caused Millions Of US Psychiatric Cases And Must End
By Sean Duke
Science Editor
0
The co-author of a new landmark study that says lead exposure caused 151 million Americans to become depressed, anxious, inattentive or hyperactive has called for it to be banned.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Last year's hyperactive Atlantic hurricane season received a boost from climate troublemaker La Niña, a cooling of Pacific Ocean water that forecasters now say is weakening.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hyperactive
Cite this Entry
“Hyperactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyperactive. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hyperactive
adjective
hy·per·ac·tive
ˌhī-pər-ˈak-tiv
: very active especially to an abnormal amount
hyperactivity
noun
-ak-ˈtiv-ət-ē
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
Kathy Fackelmann, Science NewsA 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
David Gates. Newsweek
broadly
: more active than is usual or desirable
hyperactive
2 of 2 noun
: an individual who is hyperactive
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