pathological

adjective

path·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

variants or less commonly pathologic

ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-jik 

1

: of or relating to pathology

pathological research

A pathological examination led to the diagnosis.

2

: altered or caused by disease

pathological changes in the body

also : indicative of disease

pathological symptoms

3

: being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or markedly abnormal

a pathological liar

pathological fear

pathologically

ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of pathological in a Sentence

He is a pathological liar.

She has a pathological fear of heights.

pathological changes in the body

Recent Examples on the Web

Even as birth rates fall, a pregnant body remains an object of nearly pathological fascination. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Eating disorders, as those in recovery have stressed, thrive on the pathological evidence of their symptoms, spinning negative attention—concern, disgust—into fatal affirmations. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2026

As such, determining whether a condition constitutes a disease often requires a further judgement about what kinds of human states and experiences medicine ought to classify as pathological. — Max Moser, STAT, 9 July 2026

The picture is rumored to be portraying Altman as a pathological liar and Musk (Ike Barinholtz) as highly antipathetic. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pathologicus "of the study of the passions, of the study of diseases" (borrowed from Greek pathologikós, from patho- patho- + -logikos, from -logia -logy + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pathological

• astrological
• biological
• christological
• chronological
• cosmological
• cytological
• dialogical
• ecological
• ethnological
• ethological
• geological
• histological

Kids Definition

pathological

adjective

patho·​log·​i·​cal

ˌpath-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl

variants also pathologic

-ik

1

: of or relating to pathology

2

: changed or caused by disease

3

: being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or abnormal

a pathological liar

pathologically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Medical Definition

pathological

adjective

patho·​log·​i·​cal ˌpath-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

variants also pathologic

-ik 

1

: of or relating to pathology

a pathological laboratory

2

: altered or caused by disease

pathological tissue

also : indicative of disease

pathological lesions

pathologically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb