sociological
adjective
so·cio·log·i·cal
ˌsō-sē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 
ˌsō-sh(ē-)ə-
variants
or less commonly sociologic
ˌsō-sē-ə-ˈlä-jik
ˌsō-sh(ē-)ə-
1
: of or relating to sociology or to the methodological approach of sociology
2
: oriented or directed toward social needs and problems
Examples of sociological in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The researchers hope the sociological element of the study will help galvanize residents and officials to take action to reduce water contamination.
—
Ezra Maille, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023
While these parallel investigations are happening, Wirth and the show’s other writers (many of them Indigenous) continue to pull back to deal with other sociological and systemic issues affecting Native American people at this moment in history.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2023
The discussions and summaries should include both a sociological term, concept, theory or idea and a related current event.
—Kris Marsh, The Conversation, 15 Mar. 2023
One of the things that really worries me about 21st century American life is there's been a whole lot of sociological literature saying that these sort of institutional places where people meet and gather that are not the workplace have dissolved.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2023
Another, perhaps more sociological issue would be what motivated people to become so invested in a trial like this, illustrated by the emotional outpourings posted when the jury returned a favorable verdict on Depp’s behalf.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 16 Aug. 2023
But people already recognized this fly in the sociological ointment at the time.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Aug. 2023
Valachi was a Genovese family soldier with a sociological bent who explained the Mafia’s hierarchies and structures in granular detail to a congressional committee in 1963 after landing in prison for peddling heroin.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 27 Mar. 2023
With this intention, the agency stands in stark, even proud violation of a sociological paradox: to have many friends is a desirable condition; to plainly seek to make friends is unseemly and pitiful.
—Caity Weaver, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2023
See More
Ezra Maille, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023
While these parallel investigations are happening, Wirth and the show’s other writers (many of them Indigenous) continue to pull back to deal with other sociological and systemic issues affecting Native American people at this moment in history.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2023
The discussions and summaries should include both a sociological term, concept, theory or idea and a related current event.
—Kris Marsh, The Conversation, 15 Mar. 2023
One of the things that really worries me about 21st century American life is there's been a whole lot of sociological literature saying that these sort of institutional places where people meet and gather that are not the workplace have dissolved.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2023
Another, perhaps more sociological issue would be what motivated people to become so invested in a trial like this, illustrated by the emotional outpourings posted when the jury returned a favorable verdict on Depp’s behalf.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 16 Aug. 2023
But people already recognized this fly in the sociological ointment at the time.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Aug. 2023
Valachi was a Genovese family soldier with a sociological bent who explained the Mafia’s hierarchies and structures in granular detail to a congressional committee in 1963 after landing in prison for peddling heroin.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 27 Mar. 2023
With this intention, the agency stands in stark, even proud violation of a sociological paradox: to have many friends is a desirable condition; to plainly seek to make friends is unseemly and pitiful.
—Caity Weaver, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sociological.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near sociological
Cite this Entry
“Sociological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sociological. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
sociological
adjective
so·cio·log·i·cal
ˌsō-sē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl
ˌsō-sh(ē-)ə-
variants
also sociologic
1
: of or relating to sociology or its methods
2
: concerned with or relating to social needs and problems
Medical Definition
sociological
adjective
so·cio·log·i·cal
ˌsō-sē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl
ˌsō-sh(ē-)ə-
ˌsō-sh(ē-)ə-
variants
also sociologic
: of or relating to sociology or to the methodological approach of sociology
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