1. in a manner relating to catabolism, the metabolic process of breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones
Usage: biochemistry; medical

Examples

• The patient’s body was functioning catabolically, breaking down muscle tissue for energy.
• During starvation, the body operates catabolically to maintain vital functions.
• The enzyme works catabolically to decompose proteins into amino acids.
• Cancer cells often behave catabolically, consuming the body’s resources.
• The medication affects how the liver processes drugs catabolically.
• Researchers studied how cells respond catabolically to stress.