pathological

[ path-uh-loj-i-kuhl ]

See synonyms for pathological on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of or relating to pathology.
caused by or involving disease; morbid.

caused by or evidencing a mentally disturbed condition: a pathological hoarder.
dealing with diseases: a pathological casebook.

Origin of pathological

First recorded in 1680–90; from Greek pathologik(ós) (see pathology, -ic) + -al¹

Also path·o·log·ic [path-uh-loj-ik] /ˌpæθ əˈlɒdʒ ɪk/ .

Other words from pathological

path·o·log·i·cal·ly, adverb
non·path·o·log·ic, adjective
non·path·o·log·i·cal, adjective
non·path·o·log·i·cal·ly, adverb
post·path·o·log·ic, adjective
post·path·o·log·i·cal, adjective
sem·i·path·o·log·ic, adjective
sem·i·path·o·log·i·cal, adjective
sem·i·path·o·log·i·cal·ly, adverb
un·path·o·log·i·cal, adjective
un·path·o·log·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pathological in a sentence

Their earthly needs are tended to by Mrs Doyle, the downtrodden, eccentric and pathologically dedicated housekeeper.
Father Ted: Comedy as Liberation | Tom Doran | March 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
We were exceedingly lucky, plus pathologically cheap and could swing it on one salary—but not in Manhattan.
My Real-Life ‘Suburgatory’ | Linda Erin Keenan | September 28, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
Pathologically, normoblasts occur in severe symptomatic anemia, leukemia, and pernicious anemia.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
Pathologically, red corpuscles vary in size and shape, staining properties, and structure.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
Meningitis,—I use this term as being more pathologically correct than Cephalitis, which I formerly adopted.
Remarks on the Subject of Lactation | Edward Morton

The second example, which is pathologically more important, is not subject to any such qualification.
Group Psychology and The Analysis of The Ego | Sigmund Freud
And is not my suffering caused by seeing other people behave abnormally or—pathologically?
Plays by August Strindberg, Fourth Series | August Strindberg

British Dictionary definitions for pathological

pathological

less commonly pathologic

/ (ˌpæθəˈlɒdʒɪkəl) /

adjective

of or relating to pathology
relating to, involving, or caused by disease

informal compulsively motivated: a pathological liar

Derived forms of pathological

pathologically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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