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 city, the people, the mentality. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026

Continue reading … LAW & DISORDER – 'Mob mentality' endangers officers amid anti-ICE unrest and chaos in Minneapolis. —FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026

That mentality defines All American F*ckboy, an album that took two years to complete and was entirely self-funded. —Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Advertisement This he-had-it-coming mentality is one that stems from the top of this administration. —Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026

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