sociological

adjective

so·​cio·​log·​i·​cal ˌsō-sē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce sociological (audio) ˌsō-sh(ē-)ə- How to pronounce sociological (audio)
variants or less commonly sociologic
ˌsō-sē-ə-ˈlä-jik How to pronounce sociological (audio)
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
sociologically adverb

Examples of sociological in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This, too, is a fundamental sociological insight. Wendy Nelson Espeland, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026 Teaching gave him a close-up view to teenagers, a terrifying and fascinating anthropological and sociological study if ever there was one. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026 For example, a key area of medical sociological research is the rising cost of and limited access to health care. Jennifer Singh, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026 Do these four stories, with their subtle yet strategic variations of attitude and circumstance, smack of a troubling tidiness—a desire to cover as much sociological ground as possible with each pass of the narrative baton? Justin Chang, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sociological

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sociological was in 1843

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Cite this Entry

“Sociological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sociological. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

sociological

adjective
so·​cio·​log·​i·​cal ˌsō-sē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce sociological (audio)
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
sociologically adverb

Medical Definition

sociological

adjective
so·​cio·​log·​i·​cal ˌsō-sē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce sociological (audio) ˌsō-sh(ē-)ə- How to pronounce sociological (audio)
variants also sociologic
: of or relating to sociology or to the methodological approach of sociology
sociologically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sociological

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