pathological

adjective

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
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.
Healthy orthorexia, with an interest in healthy eating with no pathological features, and orthorexia nervosa, with an obsessive focus on healthy eating. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 The scans showed pathological bone growths in the cranium and jawbone. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2025 To be sure, disjointed, weak, or ambivalent cultures may be as problematic as a cult, resulting in a pathological sense of chaos, unpredictability, and anarchic individualism where cooperation and team work become an impossibility. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 Alzheimer was interested in the normal and pathological anatomy of the brain’s cerebral cortex. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pathological

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pathologicus "of the study of the passions, of the study of diseases" (borrowed from Greek pathologikós, from patho- patho- + -logikos, from -logia -logy + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pathological was in 1656

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Cite this Entry

“Pathological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathological. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

pathological

adjective
patho·​log·​i·​cal
ˌpath-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl
variants also pathologic
-ik
1
: of or relating to pathology
2
: changed or caused by disease
3
: being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or abnormal
a pathological liar
pathologically
-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

pathological

adjective
1
: of or relating to pathology
a pathological laboratory
2
: altered or caused by disease
pathological tissue
also : indicative of disease
pathological lesions

More from Merriam-Webster on pathological

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