psychopathy

noun

psy·​chop·​a·​thy sī-ˈkä-pə-thē How to pronounce psychopathy (audio)
plural psychopathies
: mental disorder especially when marked by egocentric and antisocial activity, a lack of remorse for one's actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies

Examples of psychopathy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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According to Apostolou’s study, individuals high in psychopathy were significantly more likely to be caught cheating. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 Pidgeon also gives a go-for-broke performance of psychopathy that makes her heir apparent to Rebecca Gayheart in C-tier ’90s slasher Urban Legend. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2025 This suggests that the parts of the brain involved in controlling behavior might not be working as well in people with psychopathy. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025 And finally, some evidence suggests that psychopathy and aggression are associated with a smaller, less functional amygdala. Tobias Kalenscher, Scientific American, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for psychopathy

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychopathy was in 1847

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Cite this Entry

“Psychopathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychopathy. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

psychopathy

noun
psy·​chop·​a·​thy sī-ˈkäp-ə-thē How to pronounce psychopathy (audio)
plural psychopathies
1
: mental disorder especially when marked by egocentric and antisocial activity, a lack of remorse for one's actions, an absence of empathy for others, and criminal tendencies
2
especially formerly : antisocial personality
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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