psychopathology

noun

psy·​cho·​pa·​thol·​o·​gy ˌsī-kō-pə-ˈthä-lə-jē 

-pa-

: the study of psychological and behavioral dysfunction occurring in mental illness or in social disorganization

also : such dysfunction

psychopathological

ˌsī-kō-ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

or less commonly psychopathologic

ˌsī-kō-ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-jik 

psychopathologically

ˌsī-kō-ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

psychopathologist

ˌsī-kō-pə-ˈthä-lə-jist 

-pa-

noun

Examples of psychopathology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The same could be said about De Niro in his newest film, The Alto Knights, another gangster opus but this time without the directorial guidance of Martin Scorsese, De Niro’s usual guru in American male psychopathology. —Armond White, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025

Contribution of childhood lead exposure to psychopathology in the US population over the past 75 years JAMA Psychiatry. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025

That’s a picture of depression and psychopathology and mental illness. —Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

Thinking too much: rumination and psychopathology American Psychological Association. —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for psychopathology

• bacteriology
• biotechnology
• dialectology
• ecclesiology
• endocrinology
• epistemology
• geochronology
• geomorphology
• histopathology
• hydrogeology
• kinesiology
• meteorology

Medical Definition

psychopathology

noun

psy·​cho·​pa·​thol·​o·​gy ˌsī-kō-pə-ˈthäl-ə-jē, -pa- 

plural psychopathologies

1

: the study of psychological and behavioral dysfunction occurring in mental illness or in social disorganization

2

: disordered psychological and behavioral functioning (as in mental illness)

the theory that holidays are associated with an increased incidence of psychopathology

—Science News