schizotypal

adjective

schizo·​ty·​pal ˌskit-sə-ˈtī-pəl How to pronounce schizotypal (audio)
psychology : relating to, characteristic of, or affected with schizotypal personality disorder
schizotypal behavior
Schizotypal subjects have enhanced right-hemisphere function and tend to score above average on measures of creativity and association thinking.— Jonah Lehrer

Examples of schizotypal in a Sentence

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.
People with this type of BPD show high levels of schizotypal symptoms (odd behaviors like extreme social anxiety and detachment from others) and paranoia. — Joy Emeh, Health, 5 July 2024 Both schizotypal and schizoid personality disorders fall into cluster A, explains Chase Cassine, LCSW, a therapist in New Orleans. — Erica Sweeney, Men's Health, 30 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

schizotype "person with a genetic predisposition toward schizophrenia" (from schizo- + type entry 1) + -al entry 1

Note: The term schizotype was introduced by the Hungarian-born psychoanalyst Sándor Radó (1890-1972) in "Dynamics and classification of disordered behavior," American Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 110 (1953), p. 409: "In this sense the patient suffering from an open schizophrenic psychosis is a schizophrenic phenotype, engendered by a schizophrenic genotype in its interaction with the environment … For psychodynamic purposes I shall abbreviate the term schizophrenic phenotype to schizotype."

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of schizotypal was in 1953

Phrases Containing schizotypal

Rhymes for schizotypal

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Browse Nearby Words

schizothymia
schizotypal
schizotypal personality disorder
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Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

schizotypal

adjective
schizo·​ty·​pal ˌskit-sə-ˈtī-pəl How to pronounce schizotypal (audio)
: relating to, characteristic of, or affected with schizotypal personality disorder
schizotypal behavior
Schizotypal subjects have enhanced right-hemisphere function and tend to score above average on measures of creativity and association thinking.— Jonah Lehrer
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