1
: of or relating to any school of psychology or psychiatry that in contrast to behaviorism values subjective data (such as those gained by introspection) in the study and explanation of behavior
2
: of or relating to mental phenomena

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mentalistic was in 1882

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mentalistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mentalistic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

mentalistic

adjective
: of or relating to any school of psychology or psychiatry that in contrast to behaviorism values subjective data (as those gained by introspection) in the study and explanation of behavior
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!