psychoanalysis

noun

psy·​cho·​anal·​y·​sis ˌsī-kō-ə-ˈna-lə-səs How to pronounce psychoanalysis (audio)
: a method of analyzing psychic phenomena and treating emotional disorders that involves treatment sessions during which the patient is encouraged to talk freely about personal experiences and especially about early childhood and dreams
psychoanalyst noun

Examples of psychoanalysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If those in Washington expect too much, frustrated hopes will once again lead to suspicion, new forays into psychoanalysis, and counterproductive overreactions. Andrei Shleifer, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2011 Florence, its ’70s protagonist, is a psychoanalysis student who spends her free time with consciousness-raising groups. Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024 In 1972, Florence, a feminist studying psychoanalysis and living in what will eventually become Anna’s apartment, wants a child; her husband doesn’t. The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 But Wise Guy is a strong celebration of the series, and a fascinating psychoanalysis of the man who dreamed it up. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for psychoanalysis 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychoanalysis was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near psychoanalysis

Cite this Entry

“Psychoanalysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychoanalysis. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

psychoanalysis

noun
psy·​cho·​anal·​y·​sis ˌsī-kō-ə-ˈnal-ə-səs How to pronounce psychoanalysis (audio)
plural psychoanalyses
-ˌsēz
: a method of explaining and treating mental and emotional disorders by having the patient talk freely about himself or herself and especially about dreams, problems, and early childhood memories and experiences

Medical Definition

psychoanalysis

noun
psy·​cho·​anal·​y·​sis ˌsī-kō-ə-ˈnal-ə-səs How to pronounce psychoanalysis (audio)
variants also psychanalysis
plural psychoanalyses -ˌsēz How to pronounce psychoanalysis (audio)
1
: a method of analyzing psychic phenomena and treating mental and emotional disorders that is based on the concepts and theories of Sigmund Freud, that emphasizes the importance of free association and dream analysis, and that involves treatment sessions during which the patient is encouraged to talk freely about personal experiences and especially about early childhood and dreams
2
: a body of empirical findings and a set of theories on human motivation, behavior, and personality development that developed especially with the aid of psychoanalysis
3
: a school of psychology, psychiatry, and psychotherapy founded by Sigmund Freud and rooted in and applying psychoanalysis

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