teleological

adjective

tel·e·o·log·i·cal | \ ˌte-lē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl

, ˌtē-\

variants: or less commonly teleologic \ ˌte-lē-ə-ˈlä-jik

, ˌtē- \

Definition of teleological

: exhibiting or relating to design or purpose especially in nature

Other Words from teleological Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about teleological

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Teleological (which comes to us by way of New Latin from the Greek root tele-, telos, meaning "end or purpose") and its close relative teleology both entered English in the 18th century, followed by teleologist in the 19th century. Teleology has the basic meaning of "the study of ends or purposes." A teleologist attempts to understand the purpose of something by looking at its results. A teleological philosopher might argue that we should judge whether an act is good or bad by seeing if it produces a good or bad result, and a teleological explanation of evolutionary changes claims that all such changes occur for a definite purpose.

Examples of teleological in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Too conservative, too wrapped up in the idea of human nature and teleological ends. — Max C. Eden, National Review, "The Latest Education-Policy Fad Amounts to Social and Emotional Engineering," 27 Aug. 2019 Different groups throughout Indian history have—like several others across the world—tried to look to their past and to religious texts to locate a teleological narrative. — Vikram Sampath, Quartz India, "The father of Hindutva believed Aryans migrated to India," 20 Aug. 2019 That is, to be less deontological (rights-based in their advocacy) and more teleological (ends-based). — George Will, National Review, "Bikini-Clad Baristas Serve Up a Lesson in Free Speech," 4 Oct. 2017 Its underlying, often unarticulated, faith in some kind of immanent teleological law of progress is still apparently impervious to empirical falsification by actual historical events. — M. D. Aeschliman, National Review, "The Restoration of the Person and the Uses of Memory," 7 Oct. 2017 Such teleological smugness (to which Barack Obama was likewise prone) doesn’t just attract the ire of conservatives; liberals can get miffed, too. — T.a. Frank, The Hive, "Can Hillary Clinton Please Go Quietly into the Night?," 9 June 2017 Parenting is teleological; parents rear a child to become an adult. — Melanie Thernstrom, New York Times, "When Do You Give Up on Treating a Child With Cancer?," 12 May 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'teleological.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for teleological

teleological

adjective

te·le·o·log·i·cal | \ ˌtel-ē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl

, ˌtēl-

variants: also teleologic \ -ˈläj-ik

Medical Definition of teleological

: exhibiting or relating to design or purpose especially in nature

teleological

Definition of teleological

Other Words from teleological

Did You Know?

Examples of teleological in a Sentence

First Known Use of teleological

Medical Definition of teleological

teleological

Definition of teleological

Other Words from teleological

Did You Know?

Examples of teleological in a Sentence

First Known Use of teleological

Medical Definition of teleological

WORD OF THE DAY

abstruse