psychoanalytic

adjective

psy·​cho·​an·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌsī-kō-ˌa-nə-ˈli-tik 

variants or less commonly psychoanalytical

ˌsī-kō-ˌa-nə-ˈli-ti-kəl 

: of, relating to, or employing psychoanalysis or its principles and techniques

psychoanalytically

ˌsī-kō-ˌa-nə-ˈli-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of psychoanalytic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This approach is borne out in the rich psychoanalytic literature on empathy and emotional dwelling. — Steven Barrie-Anthony, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026

In psychoanalytic terms, it would be called Angstlust—the enjoyment of fear. — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Postwar intellectuals used psychoanalytic ideas in a variety of ways, including to discuss race relations and homosexuality. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 4 Aug. 2026

To start with this question of dehumanization and rehumanization, one of the things that happens in the beginning of a psychoanalytic interview is that the interviewee, the patient, starts off expecting to be less than human. — Orna Guralnik, The New York Review of Books, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for psychoanalytic

• cellulolytic
• electrolytic
• fibrinolytic
• hermaphroditic
• histiocytic
• melanocytic
• meteoritic
• osteolytic
• proteolytic
• analytic
• anxiolytic
• astrocytic

Kids Definition

psychoanalytic

adjective

psy·​cho·​an·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌsī-kō-ˌan-ᵊl-ˈit-ik 

variants also psychoanalytical

-i-kəl 

: of, relating to, or using psychoanalysis or its principles and techniques

Medical Definition

psychoanalytic

adjective

psy·​cho·​an·​a·​lyt·​ic -ˌan-ᵊl-ˈit-ik 

variants also psychoanalytical

-i-kəl 

: of, relating to, or employing psychoanalysis or its principles and techniques

psychoanalytically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb