psychological

adjective

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

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variants: or less commonly psychologic \ ˌsī-kə-ˈlä-jik

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Definition of psychological

1a : of or relating to psychology

b : mental

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

Other Words from psychological Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about psychological

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Examples of psychological in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web Long days at the office and nights partying with colleagues took a physical and psychological toll. — Los Angeles Times, "Is ‘Black Buck’ the first racial satire that’s also self-help?," 29 Dec. 2020 At South Oaks, which has an inpatient psychiatric treatment program for Covid-19 patients, Dr. Goueli was unsure whether the coronavirus was connected to the woman’s psychological symptoms. — New York Times, "Small Number of Covid Patients Develop Severe Psychotic Symptoms," 28 Dec. 2020 The lives illuminated here offer us new ways to speak of displacements that can be both physical and psychological. — TheWeek, "Maaza Mengiste recommends 6 books by writers from her native Ethiopia," 14 Dec. 2020 On the one hand, activists effectively raised awareness about the physical and psychological harm of skin lightening. — Lynn M. Thomas, Quartz Africa, "The skin lightening industry’s history of colorism and the impact of Black Lives Matter," 29 Nov. 2020 There are physical and psychological consequences, too. — Astra Taylor, The New Yorker, "How the Biden Administration Can Free Americans from Student Debt," 23 Nov. 2020 The author is uniquely suited to discuss her uncle and the psychological effects of his policies. — Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, "Mary Trump’s next book probes ‘America’s national trauma’ under Trump presidency," 2 Dec. 2020 Her first brush with the pandemic’s psychological effects were her own fears that her job as a health worker might have exposed her to it. — Fox News, "Mexico tops 100,000 coronavirus deaths, 4th country to do so," 21 Nov. 2020 The psychological effects of the election can be debilitating. — Jenny Singer, Glamour, "Their 2016 Election Grief Went Viral. Here’s What They’re Doing to Make Sure 2020 Isn’t a Repeat," 27 Oct. 2020

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.

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Learn More about psychological

Dictionary Entries near psychological

psychological distance

psychological hedonism

Statistics for psychological

Last Updated

10 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Psychological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychological. Accessed 20 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for psychological

psychological

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of psychological

: of or relating to the mind

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

See the full definition for psychological in the English Language Learners Dictionary

psychological

adjective

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

\

Kids Definition of psychological

: of or relating to psychology or the mind psychological research psychological distress

psychological

adjective

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

\

variants: also psychologic \ -ik

\

Medical Definition of psychological

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

b : directed toward the will or toward the mind specifically in its conative function psychological warfare

2 : relating to, concerned with, deriving from, or used in psychology psychological research psychological tests a psychological clinic

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