scle·rot·ic sklə-ˈrä-tik 
1
a
medical : of, relating to, or affected with sclerosis (see sclerosis sense 1)
sclerotic arteries
sclerotic bone lesions
b
: grown rigid or unresponsive especially with age : unable or reluctant to adapt or compromise
a sclerotic system/bureaucracy
the country's sclerotic economy
The upheaval in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain and elsewhere is driven by popular revulsion with sclerotic, corrupt leadership.—
Rachel Bronson
Rachel Bronson
2
anatomy : being or relating to the sclera
the sclerotic coat of the eye
Examples of sclerotic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026 Murphy was decried as the pick of a sclerotic, reform-resistant establishment. —Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026 Many of the country’s 93 million people were deeply dissatisfied with the sclerotic and often corrupt rule that characterized the 36-plus-year reign of his father. —Ramin Mostaghim, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026 Visiting journalists were told that his favorite novel was Les Miserables and that, in a sclerotic theocracy, his wristwatch signaled modern tastes. —Karl Vick, Time, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sclerotic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
This is true, now more than ever, but even a sclerotic Congress is susceptible to public passions. —Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026 Murphy was decried as the pick of a sclerotic, reform-resistant establishment. —Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026 Many of the country’s 93 million people were deeply dissatisfied with the sclerotic and often corrupt rule that characterized the 36-plus-year reign of his father. —Ramin Mostaghim, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026 Visiting journalists were told that his favorite novel was Les Miserables and that, in a sclerotic theocracy, his wristwatch signaled modern tastes. —Karl Vick, Time, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sclerotic
Cite this Entry
“Sclerotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/sclerotic. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sclerotic
1 of 2 adjective
scle·rot·ic sklə-ˈrät-ik
1
: being or relating to the sclera
2
: of, relating to, or affected with sclerosis
sclerotic
2 of 2 noun
: sclera
Medical Definition
sclerotic
1 of 2 adjective
scle·rot·ic sklə-ˈrät-ik
sclerotic
2 of 2 noun
: sclera
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