pathologize

verb

pa·​thol·​o·​gize pə-ˈthä-lə-ˌjīz 

pathologized; pathologizing

transitive verb

: to view or characterize as medically or psychologically abnormal

… we ought not to pathologize children who have … different ways of thinking and learning.

—Thomas Armstrong

Examples of pathologize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When companies pathologize ordinary anxiety, a self-reinforcing cycle develops. — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 30 July 2026

He has been adored, sanitized, revived, pathologized, sentimentalized, and combed for polite company. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026

Black families deserve the freedom to show up for their children without their love, creativity or generosity being pathologized. — Essence, 11 May 2026

Recognizing this tendency is more useful than either indulging or pathologizing it. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

pathology + -ize

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pathologize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Medical Definition

pathologize

transitive verb

pa·​thol·​o·​gize

variants or chiefly British pathologise

-ˌjīz

pathologized or chiefly British pathologised; pathologizing or chiefly British pathologising

: to view or characterize as medically or psychologically abnormal

natural hormonal shifts have been pathologized

—Joyce C. Mills

pathologizing childhood behavior

—Ruth Shalit

pathologization noun

or chiefly British pathologisation

pə-ˌthäl-ə-jə-ˈzā-shən