Psychobabble

Quick meaning: Psychobabble is a noun meaning (somewhat derogatory) The jargon of psychology and psychoanalysis, especially when used pretentiously to discuss mundane issues.

Meaning

(somewhat derogatory) The jargon of psychology and psychoanalysis, especially when used pretentiously to discuss mundane issues.

More Meanings

1. (intransitive) To speak or converse using this kind of jargon.

Example Sentences

He didn't want to hear any new-age psychobabble, like " find your inner peace."

We are living, practically no one has to be reminded, in a therapeutic age. The sign in every storefront reads: "Psychobabble spoken here".

The psychological patter of the '70s is as inescapable as Muzak and just as numbing: Are you relating? Going through heavy changes? In touch with yourself and doing your own thing? Are you up front, or just hung up and uptight? Boston Writer R.D. (for Richard Dean) Rosen calls it psychobabble, and in his new book by that title (Atheneum, $8.95) sees America awash in soggy therapeutic clichés.

Word Forms

• psychobabbles
• psychobabbling
• psychobabbled

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sociobabble, psychologese, therapese, psychologizing, psychoanalytics, pseudopsychology.

Related Dictionary Tools