Islamism

noun

Is·​lam·​ism is-ˈlä-ˌmi-zəm 

iz-,

-ˈla-;

ˈiz-lə-

1

: the faith, doctrine, or cause of Islam

2

: a popular reform movement advocating the reordering of government and society in accordance with laws prescribed by Islam

Islamist

is-ˈlä-mist 

iz-

-ˈla-;

ˈiz-lə-

noun

Examples of Islamism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pro-government preachers across the country have suddenly begun blending iconic, pre-revolutionary patriotic songs into Shiite religious rituals—a mix of nationalism and Islamism that the regime historically avoided but now appears eager to embrace. —Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2025

Most of them have no interest in Islamism or any other ideology. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025

The Jewish activist told Fox News Digital that the two discussed Islamism in the West, something David was addressing on a panel at the conference. —Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025

Rich and once powerful democracies are weakened in climates favoring Islamism. —Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025

Sisi's Egypt was also seen as a bulwark against Islamism, as the Egyptian leader had ousted and imprisoned the Muslim Brotherhood. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

But sometimes, as in the New Orleans attack, the driving ideology is radical Islamism. —Adiel Kaplan, NBC News, 4 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1