verb

psychoanalyze

sigh-koh-AN-uh-lyze/ˌsaɪkoʊˈænl̩ɑɪz/

To examine someone's unconscious feelings and motives.

The therapist psychoanalyzes the reclining client, exploring unconscious feelings and motives.

A South Asian therapist listens thoughtfully to an adult client reclining comfortably on a couch, calm professional scene.

Etymology

Combining “mind” with a verb that originally meant “take to pieces,” psychoanalyze applies close examination to mental life, specifically through psychoanalytic ideas.

In context

The Diary Of A CEO6:15

I don't understand why we have to psychoanalyze everything we do. I feel we waste so much time in trying to figure out I'm like this today because of this this and this.

Secret Agent: Authenticity Is Quietly Sabotaging You! Do This & They'll Stop Respecting You!

More examples

Please don't psychoanalyze every joke I make.
The therapist psychoanalyzes her patient to uncover the feelings behind his anger.
We spent dinner psychoanalyzing our boss instead of discussing work.

Forms

psychoanalyze · psychoanalyzes · psychoanalyzed · psychoanalyzing

psychoanalysis noun — Psychological treatment that explores unconscious feelings and conflicts.

psychoanalyst noun — A therapist trained to practice psychoanalysis.

Similar words

analyze: Analyze is broader and need not involve unconscious mental processes.
interpret: Interpret explains meaning without necessarily exploring a person's unconscious motives.