psychological
adjective
psy·cho·log·i·cal
ˌsī-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 
variants
or less commonly psychologic
1
a
: of or relating to psychology
psychological research
b
: of, relating to, or occurring in the mind : mental
psychological distress
psychological disorders
2
: directed toward, influencing, or acting on the mind especially in relation to an individual's willpower or behavioral motivation
psychological warfare
psychological strategies
psychologically
adverb
Since losing its Winston Cup [NASCAR] races, the town of North Wilkesboro has suffered economically and psychologically.
—
Derek H. Alderman et al.
Derek H. Alderman et al.
To gas light is to psychologically manipulate a person to the point where they question their own sanity …
—Lauren Duca
Lauren Duca
Synonyms
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
Where to watch: In theaters ‘The Rule of Jenny Pen’ (March 7)
The psychological thriller stars Geoffery Rush as a partially paralyzed stroke patient at a retirement home and John Lithgow as the sadistic resident terrorizing him with a dementia doll.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
Advocates for noncitizens worry about the psychological and emotional costs that come from hiding.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
This includes references to sexuality, deep state links, psychological operations (PYSOPS), and individuals suspected of being trans.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
This can feel like an enormous psychological burden!
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for psychological 
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Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
Advocates for noncitizens worry about the psychological and emotional costs that come from hiding.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
This includes references to sexuality, deep state links, psychological operations (PYSOPS), and individuals suspected of being trans.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
This can feel like an enormous psychological burden!
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for psychological
Dictionary Entries Near psychological
Cite this Entry
“Psychological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychological. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
psychological
adjective
psy·cho·log·i·cal
ˌsī-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl
variants
also psychologic
1
a
: of or relating to psychology
psychological research
b
: of, relating to, or occurring in the mind : mental
psychological distress
psychological disorders
2
: meant to influence the will or mind
psychological warfare
Medical Definition
psychological
adjective
psy·cho·log·i·cal
ˌsī-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl
variants
also psychologic
1
a
: 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, influencing, or acting on the mind especially in relation to an individual's willpower or behavioral motivation
psychological warfare
2
: relating to, concerned with, deriving from, or used in psychology
psychological research
psychological tests
a psychological clinic
psychologically
adverb
-ē
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