ism

noun

\ ˈi-zəm

Definition of ism

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a distinctive doctrine, cause, or theory

2 : an oppressive and especially discriminatory attitude or belief we all have got to come to grips with our isms— Joycelyn Elders

-ism

noun suffix

Definition of -ism (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : act : practice : process criticism plagiarism

b : manner of action or behavior characteristic of a (specified) person or thing animalism

c : prejudice or discrimination on the basis of a (specified) attribute racism sexism

2a : state : condition : property barbarianism

b : abnormal state or condition resulting from excess of a (specified) thing alcoholism or marked by resemblance to (such) a person or thing giantism

3a : doctrine : theory : religion Buddhism

b : adherence to a system or a class of principles stoicism

4 : characteristic or peculiar feature or trait colloquialism

Examples of ism in a Sentence

Noun Cubism, Impressionism, and other artistic isms. ageism, racism, sexism, and all the other familiar isms

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun But McKay’s doomsday fantasy offers know-it-all-ism under the guise of absurdity, then makes the error of using annihilation as an analogy for climate change. — Armond White, National Review, 12 Jan. 2022 That nickname is maybe not exclusively but is famously an Office-ism. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2021 The mere possibility of a left-right coalition, a coalition that includes Jewish settlers and Arab Islamists, gives the lie to the worldview upon which Bibi-ism depends. — Noah Millman, The Week, 3 June 2021 My mother had drummed that into me, a sort of combination of Catholicism and Southern belle-ism. — Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 13 Dec. 2021 But for me, entrepreneurial-ism and building start-ups is one of our values. — Bruce Rogers, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2021 Many authoritarian governments spin this reality right into what-about-ism, in which everything is hypocrisy and there is no difference between democratic and authoritarian countries. — Justin Sherman, Wired, 20 July 2021 This was, of course, a Vreeland-ism of the finest order, but if Gvasalia continues on his mission of blending couture into the more casual, with women like Emhoff at the top of fashion's new order, her edict might just prove to be true. — Olivia Hosken, Town & Country, 7 July 2021 Name an –ism, and Breezewood is likely the prime example of everything wrong with it. — Nic Rowan, National Review, 29 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for ism

Noun

-ism

Noun suffix

Middle English -isme, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, partly from Latin -isma (from Greek) & partly from Latin -ismus, from Greek -ismos; Greek -isma & -ismos, from verbs in -izein -ize