psychoneurosis

noun

psy·cho·neu·ro·sis ˌsī-kō-nu̇-ˈrō-səs

-nyu̇-

: neurosis

especially : a neurosis based on emotional conflict in which an impulse that has been blocked seeks expression in a disguised response or symptom

psychoneurotic

ˌsī-kō-nu̇-ˈrä-tik

-nyu̇-

adjective or noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In February, 1933, she was admitted to a hospital for psychoneurosis. —

Roxana Robinson, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2019 Georgia fell into a depression in 1933 after an aborted mural commission at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, and checked into Manhattan’s Doctors Hospital to be treated for psychoneurosis. —

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2019

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of psychoneurosis was in 1879

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near psychoneurosis

psychoneuroimmunology

psychoneurosis

psychonomics

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Psychoneurosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychoneurosis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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Medical Definition

psychoneurosis

noun

psy·cho·neu·ro·sis -n(y)u̇-ˈrō-səs

plural psychoneuroses -ˌsēz

: neurosis

especially : a neurosis based on emotional conflict in which an impulse that has been blocked seeks expression in a disguised response or symptom compare actual neurosis