mentality

noun

men·​tal·​i·​ty men-ˈta-lə-tē 

plural mentalities

1

: mental power or capacity : intelligence

2

: mode or way of thought : outlook

… the imperialist mentality of the nineteenth century.

—John Davies

Synonyms of mentality

• sense
• intelligence
• intellect
• reason

Examples of mentality in a Sentence

most teenagers do not have the mentality to foresee the consequences of such risky behavior

Recent Examples on the Web

The shift was a slow erosion of the pack mentality that had defined my young adulthood. —John Glynn, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

The movie evokes the distinctly American mob mentality that can develop in the face of tragedy. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025

That is exactly the kind of mentality that franchise players need to have. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2025

Additionally, the way that the defense has played combined with the offense’s run-first mentality makes Miami seemingly suited to play in harsh weather conditions, as Grant mentioned. —Miami Herald, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mentality

• bunker mentality
• herd mentality
• siege mentality
• victim mentality

Rhymes for mentality

• banality
• bestiality
• brutality
• carnality
• centrality
• chirality
• duality
• fatality
• finality
• formality
• frugality
• legality

Kids Definition

mentality

noun

men·​tal·​i·​ty men-ˈtal-ət-ē 

plural mentalities

1

: mental power : intelligence

2

: a particular way of thinking : outlook

Medical Definition

mentality

noun

men·​tal·​i·​ty men-ˈtal-ət-ē 

plural mentalities

1

: mental power or capacity

2

: mode or way of thought