in·sti·tu·tion·al·ism
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: emphasis on organization (as in religion) at the expense of other factors
2
: public institutional care of disabled, delinquent, or dependent persons
3
: an economic school of thought that emphasizes the role of social institutions in influencing economic behavior
plural -s
1
: a writer on or of institutes especially of the law
2
: an adherent to, teacher of, or believer in any form of institutionalism : a defender of traditional institutions
Examples of institutionalism in a Sentence
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Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
Since its birth at midcentury, the dominant form of American political science has broadly consisted of three interlocking research programs: institutionalism, rational-choice theory, and behavioralism.
—Jason Blakely, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Just in case there was ever any doubt, though, the new season of The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy doubles down on the Apple TV+ identity as a destination for comfortable institutionalism with an entire episode devoted to an interview with Prince William.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
At that time, there was still a sense of congressional institutionalism, as shown by the bipartisan action in the House Judiciary Committee to approve impeachment articles against President Nixon.
—Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025
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Noun
The premise was simple: As a right-wing leader fluent in both European institutionalism and transatlantic conservatism, Meloni could mediate between two diverging worlds.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
Since its birth at midcentury, the dominant form of American political science has broadly consisted of three interlocking research programs: institutionalism, rational-choice theory, and behavioralism.
—Jason Blakely, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Just in case there was ever any doubt, though, the new season of The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy doubles down on the Apple TV+ identity as a destination for comfortable institutionalism with an entire episode devoted to an interview with Prince William.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
At that time, there was still a sense of congressional institutionalism, as shown by the bipartisan action in the House Judiciary Committee to approve impeachment articles against President Nixon.
—Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for institutionalism
Cite this Entry
“Institutionalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institutionalism. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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