pathologize

verb

pa·​thol·​o·​gize pə-ˈthä-lə-ˌjīz How to pronounce pathologize (audio)
pathologized; pathologizing

transitive verb

: to view or characterize as medically or psychologically abnormal
… we ought not to pathologize children who have … different ways of thinking and learning.—Thomas Armstrong

Examples of pathologize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Russell doesn’t traffick in any of that, and screenwriter Christopher Logue refuses to pathologize the two, focusing instead on the untamed beauty of their relationship, which was romantic, familiar, treacherous, and pure. — Juan A. Ramírez, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026 When companies pathologize ordinary anxiety, a self-reinforcing cycle develops. — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 30 July 2026 He has been adored, sanitized, revived, pathologized, sentimentalized, and combed for polite company. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026 Black families deserve the freedom to show up for their children without their love, creativity or generosity being pathologized. — Essence, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pathologize

Word History

Etymology

pathology + -ize

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pathologize was in 1649

Rhymes for pathologize

See All Rhymes for pathologize

Browse Nearby Words

pathologist
pathologize
pathology
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Cite this Entry

“Pathologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathologize. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

pathologize

transitive verb
pa·​thol·​o·​gize
variants or chiefly British pathologise
-ˌjīz
pathologized or chiefly British pathologised; pathologizing or chiefly British pathologising
: to view or characterize as medically or psychologically abnormal
natural hormonal shifts have been pathologized—Joyce C. Mills
pathologizing childhood behavior—Ruth Shalit
pathologization noun
or chiefly British pathologisation
pə-ˌthäl-ə-jə-ˈzā-shən
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