psychopathic

[ sahy-kuh-path-ik ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or affected with psychopathy.

Other Words From

• nonpsy·cho·pathic adjective
• unpsy·cho·pathic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychopathic¹

First recorded in 1840–50; psychopath(y) + -ic

Example Sentences

Since 2016, many of us on the left have wondered how a charmless, treasonous and psychopathic con man could garner the support of half the country.

From Salon

On Wednesday, chief prosecutor Ute Lindemann described Brückner as a "dangerous, psychopathic sadist" and said he should be placed in preventive detention after serving his sentence.

From BBC

The escape of such a high-profile suspect, described by police as a “psychopathic serial killer”, has riled many Kenyans.

From BBC

This is why the term "Dark Triad" exists — a catch-all for people with narcissistic, Machiavellian and psychopathic traits.

From Salon

"What we tend to see is that narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, sadism — and I'd even argue some to some degree paranoia — all sort of overlap. And when you have that kind of complex stew, it really then is going come down to things like impulsivity, reactivity, other behavioral pieces that are gonna tell us whether this is someone who's very more as a psychopathic, sociopathic or a narcissistic presentation."

From Salon