psychoanalyze

verb psy·cho·an·a·lyze \ ˌsī-kō-ˈa-nə-ˌlīz \

|Updated on: 28 May 2018

psychoanalyzed; psychoanalyzing; psychoanalyzes

transitive verb

: to treat by means of psychoanalysis

See psychoanalyze defined for English-language learners

See psychoanalyze defined for kids

Recent Examples of psychoanalyze from the Web

More critically, the claim that our current crisis has economic roots does not rest on psychoanalyzing the Trumpen proletariat.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "America’s Version of Capitalism Is Incompatible With Democracy," 23 May 2018
The film privileges Shaun as a supermom who's always one barefoot step ahead of the opportunistic crew, led by Eddie (Billy Burke), who spends more time psychoanalyzing her than actually getting anything done.

— katie walsh, latimes.com, "The Gabrielle Union home-invasion thriller 'Breaking In' could use some breathing room," 10 May 2018
Most biographers would be tempted to use these incidents to psychoanalyze Paul Simon, probing for inner traumas and deep-seated neuroses.

— ted gioia, WSJ, "‘Paul Simon: The Life’ Review: The Fighter Still Remains," 3 May 2018
Shaun is a supermom who’s always one barefoot step ahead of the opportunistic crew, led by Eddie (Billy Burke), who spends more time psychoanalyzing her than actually getting anything done.

— katie walsh, kansascity, "In ‘Breaking In,’ Gabrielle Union is one fierce mama | The Kansas City Star," 10 May 2018
His mother, Olive Caldwell, was psychoanalyzed by Carl Jung and Anna Freud.

— bonnie l. cook, Philly.com, "Oliver Caldwell Biddle, 96, lawyer, author and member of prominent Philadelphia family," 30 Mar. 2018
That worries employees who are wary of being psychoanalyzed by software, and some employment lawyers fret that AI programs might contain biases that could lead to workplace discrimination.

— imani moise, WSJ, "What’s on Your Mind? Bosses Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Find Out," 28 Mar. 2018
Ugh, this is just getting tedious: Now Becca's psychoanalyzing Arie and Lauren's relationship.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "'The Bachelor' Season 22 Episode 12 Recap: Arie Is Properly Eviscerated on 'After the Final Rose'," 6 Mar. 2018
Frum does not attempt to psychoanalyze Trump, but the author pointedly identifies his shortcomings, especially his one-way view of loyalty.

— john diaz, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic,’ by David Frum," 11 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'psychoanalyze.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of psychoanalyze

1911

in the meaning defined above

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PSYCHOANALYZE Defined for English Language Learners

psychoanalyze

verb

: to treat the mental and emotional problems of (a patient) by having the patient talk about dreams, feelings, memories, etc. : to treat (someone) by means of psychoanalysis