psychological

adjective
psy·​cho·​log·​i·​cal | \ ˌsī-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce psychological (audio) \
variants: or less commonly psychologic \ ˌsī-​kə-​ˈlä-​jik How to pronounce psychologic (audio) \

Definition of psychological

1a : of or relating to psychology
b : mental
2 : directed toward the will or toward the mind specifically in its conative function psychological warfare

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Other Words from psychological

psychologically \ ˌsī-​kə-​ˈlä-​ji-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce psychologically (audio) \ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for psychological

Synonyms

cerebral, inner, intellectual, interior, internal, mental

Antonyms

nonmental

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Examples of psychological in a Sentence

a psychological rather than a physical condition suffered from psychological disorders all of his life

Recent Examples on the Web

In November, people briefed on their conditions told The Post that several of the women had been subjected to psychological or physical abuse. Claire Parker, Washington Post, "A jailed Saudi activist was told she would be released if she denied being tortured, her family says. She refused.," 14 Aug. 2019 Less psychological and emotional energy wasted on worrying about bias and discrimination and their effects on performance and career opportunities leaves greater discretionary energy to focus on a company’s work and results. Eric Pliner, Fortune, "Supporting LGBT Employees Is a Patriotic Act," 13 Aug. 2019 Mass casualties and black swan events are the result of a wide array of parameters including social, economic, psychological, and physiological factors. Kristina Libby, Popular Mechanics, "Why Tech Will Never Be Able to Predict the Next Mass Shooting," 6 Aug. 2019 Schnurr has ordered him to undergo psychological and spiritual counseling before deciding Drew's fate. Dan Horn, Cincinnati.com, "Shake-up at archdiocese: Cincinnati's No. 2 bishop failed to share complaints about priest," 5 Aug. 2019 Besides the obvious physical benefits, exercise also offers a number of positive psychological and emotional effects. Sponsored Content With Pure Farmaceuticals, Houston Chronicle, "6 Natural Ways to Treat Anxiety," 29 July 2019 Both Sucher and Uchitelle say that the psychological and financial distress commonly experienced by workers who lose their jobs must also be taken into account in any discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of mass layoffs. Sarah Todd, Quartz at Work, "The short but destructive history of mass layoffs," 12 July 2019 K-pop stars, let alone girl groups and their entertainment companies, rarely address anxiety and other disorders that may affect one's emotional, psychological, and social well-being in such a direct, open way. Devon Abelman, Allure, "Mina of K-Pop Group Twice Will Sit Out of World Tour to Address "Sudden Extreme Anxiety"," 11 July 2019 Mental health includes your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Alison Caporimo, Seventeen, "How to Deal with a Toxic Friendship," 8 July 2019

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

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First Known Use of psychological

circa 1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for psychological

psychological

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of psychological

: of or relating to the mind
: of or relating to the study of the mind : of or relating to psychology

psychological

adjective
psy·​cho·​log·​i·​cal | \ ˌsī-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce psychological (audio) \

Kids Definition of psychological

: of or relating to psychology or the mind psychological research psychological distress

psychological

adjective
psy·​cho·​log·​i·​cal | \ ˌsī-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce psychological (audio) \
variants: also psychologic \ -​ik How to pronounce psychologic (audio) \

Medical Definition of psychological

1a : relating to, characteristic of, directed toward, influencing, arising in, or acting through the mind especially in its affective or cognitive functions psychological phenomena the psychological aspects of a problem
b : directed toward the will or toward the mind specifically in its conative function psychological warfare
2 : relating to, concerned with, deriving from, or used in psychology psychological research psychological tests a psychological clinic

Other Words from psychological

psychologically \ -​ē \ adverb

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