pathologize
verb
pa·thol·o·gize
pə-ˈthä-lə-ˌjīz 
pathologized; pathologizing
: 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
Thomas ArmstrongExamples of pathologize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the second, the rapists are so numerous that any attempt to pathologize them becomes fruitless.
—Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
The problems are pathologized as individual problems, and then we get sold back solutions.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
The narrative was designed to pathologize an entire immigrant population as a drain on the American treasury and a nest of systemic criminality.
—Kyle Varner, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026
Avoid excessive flagging, pathologizing everyday situations, or inserting mental-health framing when it isn’t warranted.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pathologize
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Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
The problems are pathologized as individual problems, and then we get sold back solutions.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
The narrative was designed to pathologize an entire immigrant population as a drain on the American treasury and a nest of systemic criminality.
—Kyle Varner, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026
Avoid excessive flagging, pathologizing everyday situations, or inserting mental-health framing when it isn’t warranted.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pathologize
Cite this Entry
“Pathologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathologize. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
Joyce C. Millspathologizing childhood behavior—Ruth Shalit
Ruth Shalit
pathologization
noun
or chiefly British pathologisation
pə-ˌthäl-ə-jə-ˈzā-shən
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