ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pathological

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˌpæθəˈɫɑdʒɪkəɫ// UK //pˌæθəlˈɒdʒɪkəl// patho·log·i·cal

adj. describing a behavior or condition that is extreme, uncontrolled, or caused by a disease. You use it for someone who cannot stop doing something harmful, like lying.

adj. relating to or caused by physical or mental disease; in a behavioral context, compulsive and obsessive. Often used to describe chronic conditions that deviate from a healthy or normal state.


SIMPLE

He is a pathological liar who cannot tell the truth.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor ordered more tests to determine if the tissue growth was pathological or benign.

COMPLEX

In mathematical analysis, a pathological function is one whose properties are considered exceptionally atypical or counterintuitive, often serving as a counterexample to more general theories.

Synonyms
Origin

From pathology + -ical.

Usage

Often used to modify nouns related to behavior (liar, gambler) or medical conditions (state, condition).

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