catastrophization

noun

The act or process of catastrophizing.

Scrabble 33
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Meanings

nouncatastrophization (usually uncountable, plural catastrophizations)

plural catastrophizations

  1. uncountableusuallyThe act or process of catastrophizing.

    Paul tries to lead us out of the catastrophization of childhood but too often plays right into it.

    2008 April 6, Kate Zernike, “Pamperers”, in New York Times

Origin

From catastrophize + -ation.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

catastrophization. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/catastrophization

MLA

“catastrophization.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/catastrophization. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “catastrophization,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/catastrophization.

Source: catastrophization on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.