psychopathology
noun
psy·cho·pa·thol·o·gy
ˌsī-kō-pə-ˈthä-lə-jē 
-pa-
: the study of psychological and behavioral dysfunction occurring in mental illness or in social disorganization
also
: such dysfunction
psychopathological
adjective
or less commonly psychopathologic
Examples of psychopathology in a Sentence
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To reconsider the relationship of personality and psychopathology research, the study authors consulted survey responses from over 16,000 participants, as well as from their family and friends.
—
Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
The same could be said about De Niro in his newest film, The Alto Knights, another gangster opus but this time without the directorial guidance of Martin Scorsese, De Niro’s usual guru in American male psychopathology.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
Detractors argue that a taxonomy designed using superficial commonalities is still a long way from mapping the nature of psychopathology.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
Where did politics end and psychology—or psychopathology—begin?
—Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 4 Aug. 2023
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Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
The same could be said about De Niro in his newest film, The Alto Knights, another gangster opus but this time without the directorial guidance of Martin Scorsese, De Niro’s usual guru in American male psychopathology.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
Detractors argue that a taxonomy designed using superficial commonalities is still a long way from mapping the nature of psychopathology.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
Where did politics end and psychology—or psychopathology—begin?
—Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 4 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for psychopathology
Cite this Entry
“Psychopathology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychopathology. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
psychopathology
noun
psy·cho·pa·thol·o·gy
ˌsī-kō-pə-ˈthäl-ə-jē, -pa-
plural psychopathologies
1
: the study of psychological and behavioral dysfunction occurring in mental illness or in social disorganization
2
: disordered psychological and behavioral functioning (as in mental illness)
the theory that holidays are associated with an increased incidence of psychopathology—Science News
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