es·sen·tial·ism
i-ˈsen(t)-shə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: an educational theory that ideas and skills basic to a culture should be taught to all alike by time-tested methods compare progressivism
2
: a philosophical theory ascribing ultimate reality to essence embodied in a thing perceptible to the senses compare nominalism
3
: the practice of regarding something (such as a presumed human trait) as having innate existence or universal validity rather than as being a social, ideological, or intellectual construct
es·sen·tial·ist
-ch(ə)lə̇st
plural -s
: a follower of or believer in essentialism (as in religion, philosophy, or education)
: of, relating to, subscribing to, or being essentialism : of or relating to an essentialist
also
: realist in philosophic theory or point of view
essentialistic
adjective
ə̇¦senchə¦listik,
(¦)e¦s-,
ē¦s-
Examples of essentialism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Malavika Kannan, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
Such tangible essentialism can give groups a concentrated sense of purpose and meaning—and may be coupled with a powerful urge to persecute members of out-groups.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, notes that the choice for a classic, warm neutral originated from a discussion about essentialism.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
Each new challenge is framed as a test of whether the participants could hack it in what we’re supposed to believe is a harder but somehow truer, more rewarding, and—in an assumption about the division of labor that veers disconcertingly close to essentialism—more natural world.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for essentialism
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Noun
Bud can’t make a joke to his daughters without accidental gender essentialism.
—Malavika Kannan, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
Such tangible essentialism can give groups a concentrated sense of purpose and meaning—and may be coupled with a powerful urge to persecute members of out-groups.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, notes that the choice for a classic, warm neutral originated from a discussion about essentialism.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
Each new challenge is framed as a test of whether the participants could hack it in what we’re supposed to believe is a harder but somehow truer, more rewarding, and—in an assumption about the division of labor that veers disconcertingly close to essentialism—more natural world.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for essentialism
Cite this Entry
“Essentialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essentialism. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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