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
But pathological cysts are different—these are abnormal growths that form on the ovary due to unusual cell development.
—
Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 15 Aug. 2024
The discovery has great potential as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases caused by a pathological buildup of tau protein.
—New Atlas, 23 July 2024
By late season two, her knee-jerk reaction to having guests begins to feel almost pathological, a disease that can only be cured by launching a caviar line and holding space for that on the kitchen island instead.
—Kinsey Jasnoch, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
Their narcissistic and pathological tendencies enable them to manipulate and harm others without remorse, leaving psychological harm in their wake.
—Jason Walker, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pathological 
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Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 15 Aug. 2024
The discovery has great potential as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases caused by a pathological buildup of tau protein.
—New Atlas, 23 July 2024
By late season two, her knee-jerk reaction to having guests begins to feel almost pathological, a disease that can only be cured by launching a caviar line and holding space for that on the kitchen island instead.
—Kinsey Jasnoch, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
Their narcissistic and pathological tendencies enable them to manipulate and harm others without remorse, leaving psychological harm in their wake.
—Jason Walker, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pathological
Dictionary Entries Near pathological
Cite this Entry
“Pathological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathological. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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