qui·et·ism
ˈkwī-ə-ˌti-zəm 
1
a
: a system of religious mysticism teaching that perfection and spiritual peace are attained by annihilation of the will and passive absorption in contemplation of God and divine things
b
: a passive withdrawn attitude or policy toward the world or worldly affairs
2
: a state of calmness or passivity
variants
or quietistic
: of, relating to, or typical of quietists or quietism
Examples of quietism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
With Israel’s borderlands in ruins and hundreds of its citizens taken hostage, the country’s voters could no longer countenance their leader’s quietism, which now looked like a historic blunder.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
To most modern peoples the idea would represent a secular analogue to quietism, fatalistic and Luddite.
—Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Pent-up emotions, regrets, and bestial longings all burst forth in an expansive baritone whose confident quietism distinguishes him from other wispier alt-centric brooders like Daniel Caesar.
—Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
At the end of The Fraud, Eliza encounters Mr. Bogle’s son Henry, who has grown disgusted with his father’s quietism and become a political radical.
—Adam Kirsch, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
Prayer is often seen as quietism, a plea to be rescued instead of a call to action.
—David S. Wallace, The New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2021
Moral relativism doesn't imply moral quietism.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2010
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Noun
Advertisement The Islamic Republic that has just lost its supreme leader is the product of that decision to abandon clerical quietism and seize the state.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
With Israel’s borderlands in ruins and hundreds of its citizens taken hostage, the country’s voters could no longer countenance their leader’s quietism, which now looked like a historic blunder.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
To most modern peoples the idea would represent a secular analogue to quietism, fatalistic and Luddite.
—Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Pent-up emotions, regrets, and bestial longings all burst forth in an expansive baritone whose confident quietism distinguishes him from other wispier alt-centric brooders like Daniel Caesar.
—Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
At the end of The Fraud, Eliza encounters Mr. Bogle’s son Henry, who has grown disgusted with his father’s quietism and become a political radical.
—Adam Kirsch, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
Prayer is often seen as quietism, a plea to be rescued instead of a call to action.
—David S. Wallace, The New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2021
Moral relativism doesn't imply moral quietism.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2010
Cite this Entry
“Quietism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quietism. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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