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
Karyn Kusama brings tenderness to the ultimately pathological relationship between Jennifer and Needy (Seyfried), one that is very recognizable to a lot of girls and women.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024
Over time, as the stakes rise, this aversion to conflict starts to feel pathological.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2024
Moore, even in her 90s, is quite the babbling brook — twinkly and self-possessed, a calm pathological narcissist, the kind of person who spins out her life like a novel, making stories she’s told a million times sound spontaneous.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024
This view of Alzheimer’s disease as a 'circuit disorder' challenges the thinking that pathological proteins are solely responsible.
—New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pathological 
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Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024
Over time, as the stakes rise, this aversion to conflict starts to feel pathological.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2024
Moore, even in her 90s, is quite the babbling brook — twinkly and self-possessed, a calm pathological narcissist, the kind of person who spins out her life like a novel, making stories she’s told a million times sound spontaneous.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024
This view of Alzheimer’s disease as a 'circuit disorder' challenges the thinking that pathological proteins are solely responsible.
—New Atlas, 15 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 21 Nov. 2024.
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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