hypertonic

adjective

hy·​per·​ton·​ic ˌhī-pər-ˈtä-nik 

1

: exhibiting excessive tone or tension

a hypertonic baby

a hypertonic bladder

2

: having a higher osmotic pressure than a surrounding medium or a fluid under comparison

Examples of hypertonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Use Hypertonic Saline Drops as Needed Even when prepared correctly, hypertonic nasal drops or sprays can irritate the nose and throat. — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2025

For example, people who overproduce mucus in response to dirty air may be helped by inhaling hypertonic saline solution. — Linda Carroll, TIME, 30 May 2024

Also referred to as a hypertonic or hyperactive pelvic floor, this describes a state where the muscles in your pelvis hold too much tension and are unable to relax. — Sarah Graham, refinery29.com, 21 May 2021

Sinus rinses like neti pots can help wash out mucus, especially when people use hypertonic saline, Dass said. — Slone Terranella, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2021

The good news is that hypertonic saline injections seem to work. — Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 21 July 2020

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hypertonic

• anharmonic
• anionic
• avionic
• catatonic
• cationic
• chorionic
• cosmogonic
• diachronic
• diatonic
• electronic
• embryonic
• excitonic

Medical Definition

hypertonic

adjective

hy·​per·​ton·​ic -ˈtän-ik 

1

: exhibiting excessive tone or tension

a hypertonic baby

a hypertonic bladder

2

: having a higher osmotic pressure than a surrounding medium or a fluid under comparison

animals that produce urine which is hypertonic to their blood

compare hypotonic sense 2, isotonic sense 1