psychotic
adjective
psy·chot·ic
sī-ˈkä-tik 
1
medical
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected with psychosis
a psychotic patient
psychotic behavior
2
sometimes offensive
: exhibiting or suggestive of mental or emotional unsoundness or instability
—not used technically
Note: The nontechnical use of psychotic is increasingly viewed as a trivialization of mental illness.
psychotic
noun
plural psychotics
Examples of psychotic in a Sentence
He was diagnosed as psychotic.
a psychotic patient who was recently admitted
Recent Examples on the Web
The counselor also told police Trotman had had a previous psychotic break in which he was found wandering the woods.
—
Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023
Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.
—Thomas Saccente, Arkansas Online, 17 Jan. 2023
Upon arrival, body camera video footage and audio show Terrell was confused and potentially in the midst of a psychotic break.
—The Arizona Republic, 5 Jan. 2023
However, the increase was accounted for by the rise in non-psychotic patients, and there was a rise in the rate of people with only anxiety disorders.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 3 Aug. 2011
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Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023
Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.
—Thomas Saccente, Arkansas Online, 17 Jan. 2023
Upon arrival, body camera video footage and audio show Terrell was confused and potentially in the midst of a psychotic break.
—The Arizona Republic, 5 Jan. 2023
However, the increase was accounted for by the rise in non-psychotic patients, and there was a rise in the rate of people with only anxiety disorders.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 3 Aug. 2011
See All Example Sentences for psychotic
Cite this Entry
“Psychotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychotic. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
psychotic
1 of 2 adjective
psy·chot·ic
sī-ˈkät-ik
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected with psychosis
psychotic
2 of 2 noun
: a psychotic individual
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