psychological
adjective
psy·cho·log·i·cal
ˌsī-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 
variants
or less commonly psychologic
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
adverb
Since losing its Winston Cup [NASCAR] races, the town of North Wilkesboro has suffered economically and psychologically.
—
Derek H. Alderman et al.
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
Lauren Duca
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
Former detainees and international rights groups accuse him of personally participating in or directing harsh interrogation practices, including physical and psychological mistreatment.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Under pressure to fill vacancies quickly, agencies often rush background checks, shorten psychological screenings, and overlook red flags that would normally disqualify candidates.
—Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026
This connection is one reason psychological stress can lead to digestive symptoms such as constipation.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
One of the most powerful yet underappreciated forces in these dynamics is social identity, the psychological force that compels people to sort themselves into groups and take those group boundaries seriously.
—Justin Angle, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for psychological
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Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Under pressure to fill vacancies quickly, agencies often rush background checks, shorten psychological screenings, and overlook red flags that would normally disqualify candidates.
—Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026
This connection is one reason psychological stress can lead to digestive symptoms such as constipation.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
One of the most powerful yet underappreciated forces in these dynamics is social identity, the psychological force that compels people to sort themselves into groups and take those group boundaries seriously.
—Justin Angle, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for psychological
Cite this Entry
“Psychological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychological. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
psychological
adjective
psy·cho·log·i·cal
ˌsī-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl
variants
also psychologic
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
Medical Definition
psychological
adjective
psy·cho·log·i·cal
ˌsī-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl
variants
also psychologic
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
adverb
-ē
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