Indolent vs. Pathological — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 19, 2023
Indolent means lazy or inactive; Pathological refers to extreme behaviors or conditions, often related to disease. They are not synonyms and are used in different contexts.
Difference Between Indolent and Pathological
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The word "Indolent" is often used to describe a person who is lazy or lacks the inclination for physical labor or exertion. It can also describe a situation that promotes laziness. On the other hand, "Pathological" can refer to something related to or caused by a disease. It can describe extreme behaviors that are so persistent they are compulsive or obsessive.
Indolent is primarily an adjective that expresses a quality of a person or situation. It implies an unwillingness to work or use effort. Pathological, while also an adjective, can refer to things like lying, behavior, or conditions that are extreme and sometimes related to mental or physical illness. It goes beyond simple laziness or reluctance to work.
Indolent carries a somewhat negative connotation, as it suggests that someone is willingly avoiding doing something. In contrast, something that is pathological may be out of one's control, as it can relate to conditions that may require medical or psychological intervention.
Indolent is often used in everyday language to describe someone's character or habits. Pathological is a term often used in a medical or psychological context, although it can also describe extreme behaviors in a more colloquial sense. While both words are adjectives, their usage and implications are quite different.
Comparison Chart
Meaning
Lazy or inactive
Extreme, often disease-related behaviors or conditions
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Context
Everyday language
Medical, psychological, and sometimes everyday language
Part of Speech
Adjective
Adjective
Connotation
Generally negative
Usually negative, often serious
Examples
"He is an indolent person."
"She has a pathological fear of spiders."
Compare with Definitions
Indolent
Lazy
He's too indolent to mow the lawn.
Pathological
Compulsive or extreme
His pathological lying ruined many relationships.
Indolent
Averse to labor or exertion
He was indolent and preferred video games to work.
Pathological
Uncontrollable
She has a pathological fear of heights.
Indolent
Slow to heal or develop
An indolent ulcer may require medical attention.
Pathological
Deviating from the norm
His pathological need for attention caused disruptions.
Indolent
Inclined to avoid activity
Her indolent disposition made her a poor candidate for the job.
Pathological
Related to disease
Pathological tissues were studied in the lab.
Indolent
Causing little pain
Indolent tumors are usually less aggressive.
Pathological
Destructive
The virus had a pathological effect on the tissue.
Indolent
Disinclined to exert oneself; habitually lazy.
Pathological
Of or relating to pathology.
Indolent
Conducive to inactivity or laziness; lethargic
Humid, indolent weather.
Pathological
Relating to or caused by disease.
Indolent
Causing little or no pain
An indolent tumor.
Pathological
Of, relating to, or manifesting behavior that is habitual, maladaptive, and compulsive
A pathological liar.
Indolent
Slow to heal, grow, or develop; inactive
An indolent ulcer.
Pathological
(medicine) Pertaining to pathology.
Indolent
Habitually lazy, procrastinating, or resistant to physical labor
The indolent girl resisted doing her homework.
Pathological
(medicine) Relating to, amounting to, causing, or caused by a physical or mental disorder.
Indolent
Inducing laziness
Indolent comfort
Pathological
(mathematics) Having properties which are counterintuitive or difficult to handle.
Indolent
(medicine) Causing little or no physical pain; progressing slowly; inactive (of an ulcer, etc.)
Pathological
(computer science) Having properties that cause unusually bad behaviour, especially regarding correctness or performance.
Indolent
(medicine) Healing slowly
Pathological
Of or relating to the practice of pathology;
Pathological laboratory
Indolent
Free from toil, pain, or trouble.
Pathological
Caused by or evidencing a mentally disturbed condition;
A pathological liar
A pathological urge to succeed
Indolent
Indulging in ease; avoiding labor and exertion; habitually idle; lazy; inactive; as, an indolent man.
To waste long nights in indolent repose.
Pathological
Caused by or altered by or manifesting disease or pathology;
Diseased tonsils
A morbid growth
Pathologic tissue
Pathological bodily processes
Indolent
Causing little or no pain or annoyance; as, an indolent tumor.
Indolent
Disinclined to work or exertion;
Faineant kings under whose rule the country languished
An indolent hanger-on
Too lazy to wash the dishes
Shiftless idle youth
Slothful employees
The unemployed are not necessarily work-shy
Indolent
Of tumors e.g.; slow to heal or develop and usually painless;
An indolent ulcer
Leprosy is an indolent infectious disease
Common Curiosities
Is Indolent a medical term?
While it can be used medically to describe slow-growing diseases, it's commonly used in everyday language.
Can Indolent and Pathological be used interchangeably?
No, they are used in different contexts and have different meanings.
Is Pathological always related to medicine?
Not necessarily; it can describe extreme behaviors in a colloquial sense.
Is Indolent always negative?
Mostly yes, as it implies laziness or lack of effort.
Is Pathological always negative?
Generally yes, as it describes extreme or undesirable conditions or behaviors.
Is Indolent a noun or an adjective?
It is an adjective.
What does Indolent mean?
It means lazy or inactive.
Can you give an example of Indolent in a sentence?
He was too indolent to help with the chores.
What does Pathological mean?
It refers to extreme or compulsive behaviors, often related to disease.
Is Indolent used in specific fields?
It can be used in medical, psychological, and everyday contexts.
What's the origin of the word Indolent?
It comes from Latin 'indolens', meaning "not feeling pain."
What's the origin of the word Pathological?
It comes from Greek 'pathos' meaning "suffering" and '-logia' meaning "the study of."
Is Pathological a noun or an adjective?
It is an adjective.
Can you give an example of Pathological in a sentence?
Her pathological fear of spiders made her avoid the garden.
Is Pathological used in specific fields?
It is frequently used in medical and psychological fields but can also be used in everyday language.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
