psychological

play

adjective psy·cho·log·i·cal \ ˌsī-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl \

variants: or less commonly psychologic play \-jik\

Definition of psychological

1 a :of or relating to psychology

b :mental

2 :directed toward the will or toward the mind specifically in its conative function

psychological warfare

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psychologically

play \-ji-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See psychological defined for English-language learners

See psychological defined for kids

Examples of psychological in a Sentence

a psychological rather than a physical condition
suffered from psychological disorders all of his life

Recent Examples of psychological from the Web

Harvey is bound to come with academic repercussions in addition to any psychological ones.

— hayley glatter, The Atlantic, "How Schoolchildren Will Cope With Hurricane Harvey," 30 Aug. 2017
As a result, the animals endured chronic physical suffering and psychological deterioration.

— Smithsonian, "Discussion," 24 Aug. 2017
As daughters age into the school years, dads become even more important to their physical, psychological, and social health.

— charlotte andersen, Redbook, "Fathers Have An Even Greater Influence on Daughters Than You May Realize," 22 Aug. 2017
But counselors at the refugee camp told us many of these girls have developed psychological issues.

— annie leibovitz, The Hive, "The Desperate Struggle for Home at the U.N.’s Largest Syrian Refugee Camp," 17 Aug. 2017
That might well cause panic among the U.S. public — a psychological warfare win for North Korea.

— jonah shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "What Does North Korea Hope to Gain by Threatening Guam?," 11 Aug. 2017
But counselors at the refugee camp told us many of these girls have developed psychological issues.

— christiane amanpour, vanityfair.com, "The Desperate Struggle for Home at the U.N.’s Largest Syrian Refugee Camp," 9 Aug. 2017
The drama is psychological instead of overly violent.

— zach buchanan, Cincinnati.com, "BAR: Reds on pace for second-worst stretch ever," 7 Aug. 2017
Although the psychological report on Edward Klein is private, its general findings were discussed during a status hearing in DuPage County court.

— clifford ward, Naperville Sun, "Psychologist: Man accused of shooting Amtrak conductor in Naperville not fit for trial," 31 July 2017

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

First Known Use of psychological

circa 1688

psychological Synonyms

Synonyms

cerebral, inner, intellectual, interior, internal, mental (also psychologic)

Antonyms

nonmental

Related Words

cognitive, conscious, epistemic, knowing; noetic; psychic (also psychical), telepathic; alert, brainy, bright, brilliant, clever, intelligent, quick-witted, rational, reasoning, sharp, sharp-witted, smart, thinking

Near Antonyms

bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, fleshly, physical, somatic; unconscious; brainless, dense, doltish, dopey (also dopy), fatuous, half-witted, mindless, obtuse, simple, slow-witted, stupid, thick, thickheaded, unintelligent, weak-minded, witless

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

PSYCHOLOGICAL Defined for English Language Learners

psychological

play

adjective

Definition of psychological for English Language Learners

: of or relating to the mind
: of or relating to the study of the mind : of or relating to psychology

PSYCHOLOGICAL Defined for Kids

psychological

play

adjective psy·cho·log·i·cal \ ˌsī-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl \

Definition of psychological for Students

:of or relating to psychology or the mind

psychological research

psychological distress

Medical Dictionary

psychological

play

adjective psy·cho·log·i·cal \ ˌsī-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl \

variants: also psychologic play \-ik\

medical Definition of psychological

1 a :relating to, characteristic of, directed toward, influencing, arising in, or acting through the mind especially in its affective or cognitive functions