noun

apoplexy

AP-uh-plek-see

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Apoplexy (noun) means a sudden loss of consciousness, movement or speech caused by bleeding in or blocked blood flow to the brain; the older medical name for a stroke. Example: “The parish register records that he died of apoplexy in his sixty-second year.”

noun

dated A sudden loss of consciousness, movement or speech caused by bleeding in or blocked blood flow to the brain; the older medical name for a stroke.

"The parish register records that he died of apoplexy in his sixty-second year."

"Before scans existed, any sudden collapse of this kind was simply called apoplexy."

Extreme, barely containable anger, imagined as strong enough to make someone ill.

"The proposal to close the library drove the committee to apoplexy."

"He turned a shade of red that suggested apoplexy was not far off."

How to use apoplexy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old word for a stroke, now more often used to mean furious rage.

When to use it

The medical sense is historical and appears mainly in old records and period fiction. In modern writing the word is nearly always about anger, usually with a touch of humour.

Memory tip

The adjective is apoplectic, and it almost always means enraged: 'she was apoplectic about the delay'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

apoplectic epilepsy → apostasy →

Common pairings

fit of apoplexy died of apoplexy drove him to apoplexy near apoplexy

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “apoplexy” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The parish register records that he died of _____ in his sixty-second year.

Etymology

From Greek apoplexia, from apoplessein 'to disable by a stroke', reaching English through Latin and Old French.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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stroke cerebrovascular accident seizure rage fury outrage indignation CVA

Antonyms

calm composure

Related words

still peace patient afraid angry calm upset pacific

Rhymes for apoplexy

sexy

See all rhymes for apoplexy →

Frequently asked questions

Is apoplexy the same as a stroke?

Historically yes: apoplexy was the standard term for what doctors now call a stroke. It is no longer used clinically because it described only the outward collapse and said nothing about the cause, which modern imaging can identify precisely.

What does it mean to be apoplectic with rage?

It means being so angry that you seem on the verge of a physical collapse. The phrase borrows the old medical image of someone struck down suddenly, and today it is understood as vivid exaggeration rather than a health warning.

What is the meaning of apoplexy?

"apoplexy" (noun) means a sudden loss of consciousness, movement or speech caused by bleeding in or blocked blood flow to the brain; the older medical name for a stroke.

What is another word for apoplexy?

Other words for "apoplexy" include stroke, cerebrovascular accident, seizure, CVA, rage, fury.

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still peace patient afraid angry calm upset pacific