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 psychological (audio)
Synonyms of psychologicalnext
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
ˌsī-kə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce psychological (audio)
adverb
Since losing its Winston Cup [NASCAR] races, the town of North Wilkesboro has suffered economically and psychologically. —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

Synonyms of psychological

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From Leonardo, Raphael learned to read psychological states—what Leonardo called the moti mentali, the motions of the mind—and to render them in paint. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026 And her idea is that this is like a psychological form of pain. — Quanta Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026 Leaders are crucial in preventing shame by cultivating psychological safety, where imperfections are accepted. — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Filming has wrapped on the psychological thriller, which also features Saffron Burrows (Troy), Steven Berkoff (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Michael Landes (Cruel Summer) and Hugo Stone (Prisoners of Paradise). — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for psychological

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychological was circa 1787

Phrases Containing psychological

Rhymes for psychological

See All Rhymes for psychological

Browse Nearby Words

psycholinguistics
psychological
psychological act
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Psychological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychological. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

psychological

adjective
psy·​cho·​log·​i·​cal ˌsī-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce psychological (audio)
variants also psychologic
-ˈläj-ik How to pronounce psychological (audio)
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
psychologically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce psychological (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

psychological

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

More from Merriam-Webster on psychological

Nglish: Translation of psychological for Spanish Speakers

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