pathological
adjective
path·o·log·i·cal
ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 
variants
or less commonly pathologic
1
: of or relating to pathology
pathological research
A pathological examination led to the diagnosis.
2
: altered or caused by disease
pathological changes in the body
also
: indicative of disease
pathological symptoms
3
: being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or markedly abnormal
a pathological liar
pathological fear
Examples of pathological in a Sentence
He is a pathological liar.
She has a pathological fear of heights.
pathological changes in the body
Recent Examples on the Web
At the absolute minimum, Prince Andrew and others in Epstein’s orbit showed a pathological incuriosity about the young girls who surrounded him—and that is stretching good faith to its very limit.
—
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
As for Farrell, rarely has a pathological abdication of responsibility been so uncannily conveyed; he’s well matched by his The Beguiled co-star, Nicole Kidman, who cuts through the body-snatcher torpor of the material with her growing rage and panic.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Most people would have pitched this as a pathological case study or a parable for the early 21st century blues, presenting this semi-Robin Hood figure as a folk hero stickin’ it to the man.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Gender diversity is not pathological, agrees the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, another organization that’s critical of the practice.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathological
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Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
As for Farrell, rarely has a pathological abdication of responsibility been so uncannily conveyed; he’s well matched by his The Beguiled co-star, Nicole Kidman, who cuts through the body-snatcher torpor of the material with her growing rage and panic.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Most people would have pitched this as a pathological case study or a parable for the early 21st century blues, presenting this semi-Robin Hood figure as a folk hero stickin’ it to the man.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Gender diversity is not pathological, agrees the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, another organization that’s critical of the practice.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathological
Cite this Entry
“Pathological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathological. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
pathological
adjective
patho·log·i·cal
ˌpath-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl
variants
also pathologic
1
: of or relating to pathology
a pathological laboratory
2
: altered or caused by disease
pathological tissue
also
: indicative of disease
pathological lesions
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