pathological
adjective
path·o·log·i·cal
ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 
variants
or less commonly pathologic
1
: of or relating to pathology
pathological research
A pathological examination led to the diagnosis.
2
: altered or caused by disease
pathological changes in the body
also
: indicative of disease
pathological symptoms
3
: being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or markedly abnormal
a pathological liar
pathological fear
Examples of pathological in a Sentence
He is a pathological liar.
She has a pathological fear of heights.
pathological changes in the body
Recent Examples on the Web
By learning from the natural tau regulation seen in newborns, researchers may discover new ways to prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease by avoiding the pathological buildup of tau seen in aging brains.
—
New Atlas, 30 June 2025
On the series, Danny would often be obsessed with cleaning in an almost pathological way.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 30 May 2025
Furthermore, that group also had a significantly lower number of osteoclasts, which are the cells responsible for bone loss in pathological conditions like AP.
—New Atlas, 22 June 2025
Imaging studies show that pathological gamblers and people with substance addictions share patterns of brain activity.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathological
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New Atlas, 30 June 2025
On the series, Danny would often be obsessed with cleaning in an almost pathological way.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 30 May 2025
Furthermore, that group also had a significantly lower number of osteoclasts, which are the cells responsible for bone loss in pathological conditions like AP.
—New Atlas, 22 June 2025
Imaging studies show that pathological gamblers and people with substance addictions share patterns of brain activity.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathological
Cite this Entry
“Pathological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathological. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
pathological
adjective
patho·log·i·cal
ˌpath-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl
variants
also pathologic
1
: of or relating to pathology
a pathological laboratory
2
: altered or caused by disease
pathological tissue
also
: indicative of disease
pathological lesions
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