psychoanalysis
noun
psy·cho·anal·y·sis
ˌsī-kō-ə-ˈna-lə-səs 
: a method of analyzing psychic phenomena and treating emotional disorders that involves treatment sessions during which the patient is encouraged to talk freely about personal experiences and especially about early childhood and dreams
Examples of psychoanalysis in a Sentence
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If those in Washington expect too much, frustrated hopes will once again lead to suspicion, new forays into psychoanalysis, and counterproductive overreactions.
—
Andrei Shleifer, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2011
Florence, its ’70s protagonist, is a psychoanalysis student who spends her free time with consciousness-raising groups.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024
In 1972, Florence, a feminist studying psychoanalysis and living in what will eventually become Anna’s apartment, wants a child; her husband doesn’t.
—The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
But Wise Guy is a strong celebration of the series, and a fascinating psychoanalysis of the man who dreamed it up.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
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Andrei Shleifer, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2011
Florence, its ’70s protagonist, is a psychoanalysis student who spends her free time with consciousness-raising groups.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024
In 1972, Florence, a feminist studying psychoanalysis and living in what will eventually become Anna’s apartment, wants a child; her husband doesn’t.
—The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
But Wise Guy is a strong celebration of the series, and a fascinating psychoanalysis of the man who dreamed it up.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for psychoanalysis
Dictionary Entries Near psychoanalysis
Cite this Entry
“Psychoanalysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychoanalysis. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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psychoanalysis
noun
psy·cho·anal·y·sis
ˌsī-kō-ə-ˈnal-ə-səs
plural psychoanalyses
-ˌsēz
: a method of explaining and treating mental and emotional disorders by having the patient talk freely about himself or herself and especially about dreams, problems, and early childhood memories and experiences
Medical Definition
psychoanalysis
noun
psy·cho·anal·y·sis
ˌsī-kō-ə-ˈnal-ə-səs
variants
also psychanalysis
plural psychoanalyses
-ˌsēz
1
: a method of analyzing psychic phenomena and treating mental and emotional disorders that is based on the concepts and theories of Sigmund Freud, that emphasizes the importance of free association and dream analysis, and that involves treatment sessions during which the patient is encouraged to talk freely about personal experiences and especially about early childhood and dreams
2
: a body of empirical findings and a set of theories on human motivation, behavior, and personality development that developed especially with the aid of psychoanalysis
3
: a school of psychology, psychiatry, and psychotherapy founded by Sigmund Freud and rooted in and applying psychoanalysis
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