psychological

adjective

psy·​cho·​log·​i·​cal ˌsī-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

variants or less commonly psychologic

ˌsī-kə-ˈlä-jik 

1

a

: of or relating to psychology

psychological research

b

: of, relating to, or occurring in the mind : mental

psychological distress

psychological disorders

2

: directed toward, influencing, or acting on the mind especially in relation to an individual's willpower or behavioral motivation

psychological warfare

psychological strategies

psychologically

ˌsī-kə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Since losing its Winston Cup [NASCAR] races, the town of North Wilkesboro has suffered economically and psychologically.

—Derek H. Alderman et al.

To gas light is to psychologically manipulate a person to the point where they question their own sanity …

—Lauren Duca

Synonyms

• cerebral
• inner
• intellectual
• interior
• internal
• mental

Examples of psychological in a Sentence

a psychological rather than a physical condition

suffered from psychological disorders all of his life

Recent Examples on the Web

Part psychological exploration and part film archaeology, the film unearths the thoughts and work of a forgotten group of Dutch filmmakers who dreamed of a career in cinema but ended up promoting a brutal regime. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024

Cash provides both financial and psychological security and gives you ammunition to act when opportunities arise. —Robert Daugherty, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Marlon Wayans will be seen starring in Justin Tipping’s psychological sports thriller HIM, produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, out September 2025. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024

Mandi’s Ben is a friend to both and on the team to investigate any potential scientific explanation for the phenomenon the team faces, while Kristen looks at psychological root causes and David considers the spiritual perspective. —Trent Moore, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing psychological

• psychological moment
• psychological warfare

Kids Definition

psychological

adjective

psy·​cho·​log·​i·​cal ˌsī-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

variants also psychologic

-ˈläj-ik 

1

a

: of or relating to psychology

psychological research

b

: of, relating to, or occurring in the mind : mental

psychological distress

psychological disorders

2

: meant to influence the will or mind

psychological warfare

psychologically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

psychological

adjective

psy·​cho·​log·​i·​cal ˌsī-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

variants also psychologic

-ik 

1

a

: relating to, characteristic of, directed toward, influencing, arising in, or acting through the mind especially in its affective or cognitive functions

psychological phenomena

the psychological aspects of a problem

b

: directed toward, influencing, or acting on the mind especially in relation to an individual's willpower or behavioral motivation

psychological warfare

2

: relating to, concerned with, deriving from, or used in psychology

psychological research

psychological tests

a psychological clinic

psychologically

-ē

adverb