Main Entry: me·lio·rism

Pronunciation: \ˈmēl-yə-ˌri-zəm, ˈmē-lē-ə-\

Function: noun

Date: 1877

: the belief that the world tends to improve and that humans can aid its betterment

— me·lio·rist \-rist\ adjective or noun

— me·lio·ris·tic \ˌmēl-yə-ˈris-tik, ˌmē-lē-ə-\ adjective