psychobabble

[ sahy-koh-bab-uhl ]

noun

1. writing or talk using jargon from psychiatry or psychotherapy without particular accuracy or relevance.

psychobabble

/ ˈsaɪkəʊˌbæbəl /

noun

1. informal.
   the jargon of psychology, esp as used and popularized in various types of psychotherapy

Other Words From

• psycho·babbler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychobabble¹

psycho- + babble; popularized by a book of the same title (1977) by U.S. journalist Richard D. Rosen (born 1949)

Example Sentences

I get a dozen texts every week filled with weight loss psychobabble, while my husband is dogged by technically legal, but still not awesome, political outreach and fearmongering.

From Washington Post

Grace and Grit Rated R for harsh words and hubristic psychobabble.

From New York Times

The vice president argued that the president had succumbed to psychobabble from an inexperienced aide.

From New York Times

“Sex addiction” is seen by many as empty psychobabble, a daft metaphor at best, dangerously weaponized on “a really bad day.”

From Los Angeles Times

The fitness guru’s sphere of influence has typically been centered on the body, with some wiggle room for related self-help psychobabble and musical appreciation.

From New York Times