Meaning & use
diathesis
Last updated
A predisposition or inherited tendency toward developing a particular disease or condition.
See it in a sentence
Researchers study how a genetic diathesis combined with stress can trigger certain mental illnesses.
The doctor explained that his family history suggested a diathesis for heart disease.
A note on using this word
Diathesis appears frequently in the phrase 'diathesis-stress model,' a psychological theory describing how genetic vulnerability and environmental stress combine to cause disorders.
Words with a similar meaning
predispositionsusceptibility
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “diathesis”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.