hypochondria

noun

Definition of hypochondrianext
as in illness
unusual or excessive concern about your health; a tendency to fear or imagine that you have illnesses that you do not actually have She fueled her hypochondria by reading articles about rare diseases.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hypochondria But that continued dedication to masking of any kind is not merely the result of unintelligence, or misplaced hypochondria, or even being affiliated with a specific political party. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 In the fall, the nonprofit theatre company will stage The Imaginary Invalid, a 17th-century comedy about hypochondria, reimagined by the actor and clown, Bill Irwin, and directed by Brandon Dirden, who appeared on Broadway in this season’s Waiting For Godot. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026 In fact, contrary to popular opinion, studies show that singletons are not at significantly higher risk of developing adverse personality traits like narcissism or hypochondria. — Cynthia Hanson, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026 Girls love to be reminded of their famous hypochondria on their deathbed. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2026 Illness Anxiety Disorder Colloquially, a constant concern for health is known as hypochondria. — Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2025 Tindaro’s perfect pedigree as an eligible bachelor is undermined by his insufferable attitude, rampant hypochondria, and blunt disdain for women. — Breanna Bell, Variety, 14 Dec. 2022 Early on, many doctors, predictably, dismissed these cases as the result of anxiety or hypochondria. — Meghan O'Rourke, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypochondria
  1. illness
  2. disease
  3. anxiety
  4. sickness
Noun
  • Several iterations of the idea have since taken shape, expanding to refugees, students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, seniors with chronic illness.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The sources haven’t been identified for nine of the ongoing foodborne illness outbreaks and two of the ongoing Salmonella outbreaks.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of illness
Noun
  • The study’s findings also highlight the need for physicians to be alert to early signs of disease and consider blood pressure treatment, even in younger people, according to Freeman.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Etzel noted that the order makes several significant changes, which include reducing the number of diseases targeted by childhood vaccines and separating the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine into individual shots.
    — Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of disease
Noun
  • As economic anxiety reshapes American masculinity, a growing subculture of young and working-class men is turning to maxxing out their bodies as a way to reclaim value in a labor market that increasingly devalues physical work.
    — Michael Kimmel, Time, 15 Aug. 2026
  • In other writings found on her cellphone, Clancy detailed her anxiety and depression, challenges raising her children and her hesitation to take new medication.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • But ratepayers, like everyone else, suffer sickness and death when forced to breathe dirty air.
    — John Kostyack, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Additionally, there are temporal patterns to when certain viruses reactivate during sickness.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of sickness

Browse Nearby Words

hypnotizing
hypochondria
hypochondriac
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Cite this Entry

“Hypochondria.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypochondria. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hypochondria

Nglish: Translation of hypochondria for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypochondria

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