hypochondriacal
adjective
hy·po·chon·dri·a·cal
ˌhī-pə-kən-ˈdrī-ə-kəl 
-ˌkän-
variants
or less commonly hypochondriac
: exhibiting or marked by unusual or excessive recurring concern about one's health : affected or produced by hypochondria
And given my hypochondriacal nature, I have no choice but to see my doctor regularly.—
Alonzo Weston
Alonzo Weston
Examples of hypochondriacal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her mother, Pattie (Alli Mauzey), is ludicrously hypochondriacal, as if atoning for the chromosomal accident that produced her quick-aging child.
—New York Times, 8 Dec. 2021
Many women with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune neuromuscular disease first named in 1877, were misdiagnosed as mentally unwell and dismissed as hypochondriacal well into the 20th century.
—Elinor Cleghorn, WSJ, 12 June 2021
During downtime, Daisy May cracked up the crew with a hypochondriacal riff about an unprintable physical sensation in her bowels.
—David Segal, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2020
Bill Nighy has too few scenes as Emma's protective, hypochondriacal father, but each one is a master class in comic glances and delivery.
—Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Feb. 2020
By contrast, Davenport — mildly hypochondriacal and prey to colds and occasional depression — hates to go anywhere, often suffering intense anxiety at the very prospect of a trip.
—Michael Dirda, National Review, 25 July 2019
The interchangeability of the smaller supporting characters enhances this sense of social fluidity — at any moment, someone else can turn into the impoverished talkative spinster, Miss Bates, or Mr. Woodhouse, Emma’s hypochondriacal father.
—Kerry Reid, chicagotribune.com, 6 June 2019
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New York Times, 8 Dec. 2021
Many women with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune neuromuscular disease first named in 1877, were misdiagnosed as mentally unwell and dismissed as hypochondriacal well into the 20th century.
—Elinor Cleghorn, WSJ, 12 June 2021
During downtime, Daisy May cracked up the crew with a hypochondriacal riff about an unprintable physical sensation in her bowels.
—David Segal, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2020
Bill Nighy has too few scenes as Emma's protective, hypochondriacal father, but each one is a master class in comic glances and delivery.
—Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Feb. 2020
By contrast, Davenport — mildly hypochondriacal and prey to colds and occasional depression — hates to go anywhere, often suffering intense anxiety at the very prospect of a trip.
—Michael Dirda, National Review, 25 July 2019
The interchangeability of the smaller supporting characters enhances this sense of social fluidity — at any moment, someone else can turn into the impoverished talkative spinster, Miss Bates, or Mr. Woodhouse, Emma’s hypochondriacal father.
—Kerry Reid, chicagotribune.com, 6 June 2019
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypochondriacal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
First Known Use
1576, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near hypochondriacal
Cite this Entry
“Hypochondriacal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypochondriacal. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
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Medical Definition
hypochondriacal
adjective
hy·po·chon·dri·a·cal
-kən-ˈdrī-ə-kəl, -ˌkän-
: marked by unusual or excessive recurring concern about one's health : affected with or produced by hypochondria
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