hedonic

adjective

he·​don·​ic hi-ˈdä-nik How to pronounce hedonic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by pleasure
2
: of, relating to, or characterized by hedonism
hedonically adverb

Examples of hedonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The other — our hedonic reward system — is all about the liking. Tamar Haspel, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2016 In either state—harmless or neutralizing, hedonic or willfully ignorant—the girl becomes an attractor of hatred, envy, and fear. Alex Quicho, WIRED, 11 Sep. 2023 The psychologists Philip Brickman and Donald T. Campbell coined a term for this phenomenon: the hedonic treadmill. Shane Parrish, Time, 6 Oct. 2023 The two systems aren’t completely separate, and hunger can amp up our hedonic reward system. Tamar Haspel, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2016 Although most research comparing these two types of purchases has focused on their downstream hedonic consequences, the present research investigated hedonic differences that occur before consumption. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 24 Nov. 2017 The hedonic pleasures of staying up too late, mainlining Pizza Rolls with Mountain Dew, and passing out on the living-room floor are nothing compared to what most adults regularly arrange for themselves. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 18 Jan. 2023 The research ultimately revealed that the worms, like humans, engage in hedonic feeding — a phenomenon more commonly known as the munchies. Katie Hunt, CNN, 20 Apr. 2023 Mind the hedonic treadmill. Paco De Leon, refinery29.com, 7 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hedonic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hedonic was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near hedonic

Cite this Entry

“Hedonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hedonic. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

hedonic

adjective
he·​don·​ic hi-ˈdän-ik How to pronounce hedonic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by pleasure
2
: of, relating to, or characteristic of hedonism or hedonists
hedonically adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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