Taoism
noun
Tao·ism
ˈdau̇-ˌi-zəm 
ˈtau̇-
variants
or less commonly Daoism
1
: a Chinese mystical philosophy traditionally founded by Lao-tzu in the sixth century b.c. that teaches conformity to the Tao by unassertive action and simplicity
2
: a religion developed from Taoist philosophy and folk and Buddhist religion and concerned with obtaining long life and good fortune often by magical means
Examples of Taoism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In Taoism, is thought to harmonize Qi by balancing Yin (negative energy) and Yang (positive energy).
—
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
The question has turned out to be a conundrum for some followers of Taoism—a term that first appeared as a religious category in Singapore in the 1980 census.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 8 Mar. 2025
Today, the monastery is known for honoring all three of China’s main religions—Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
The Wikipedia entry on the Golden Rule cites variations of this basic ethic from Egyptian, Sanskrit, Tamil, Persian, Roman, and Yoruba texts, from the three Abrahamic religions, as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and so on.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024
The name Nezha refers to a deity common across Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and other folk religions.
—New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2024
Thinking The 3 jewels of Taoism are helping drive the Rural Renaissance
De-urbanized lifestyles can be aligned with basic Taoist principles — and remote workers are starting to feel the connection.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
Wang’s study begins in the Song (960–1279) and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties with neo-Confucianism, a school of thought that adapted traditional Confucianism in the face of challenges by Taoism and Buddhism.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
About one-fifth of Taiwan’s 23 million people count themselves as Buddhist, another 5 percent are Christian, and over half take part in Taoism and a range of related folk religions, including worshiping Mazu, also spelt Matsu.
—Amy Chang Chien Lam Yik Fei, New York Times, 3 May 2024
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Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
The question has turned out to be a conundrum for some followers of Taoism—a term that first appeared as a religious category in Singapore in the 1980 census.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 8 Mar. 2025
Today, the monastery is known for honoring all three of China’s main religions—Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
The Wikipedia entry on the Golden Rule cites variations of this basic ethic from Egyptian, Sanskrit, Tamil, Persian, Roman, and Yoruba texts, from the three Abrahamic religions, as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and so on.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024
The name Nezha refers to a deity common across Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and other folk religions.
—New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2024
Thinking The 3 jewels of Taoism are helping drive the Rural Renaissance
De-urbanized lifestyles can be aligned with basic Taoist principles — and remote workers are starting to feel the connection.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
Wang’s study begins in the Song (960–1279) and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties with neo-Confucianism, a school of thought that adapted traditional Confucianism in the face of challenges by Taoism and Buddhism.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
About one-fifth of Taiwan’s 23 million people count themselves as Buddhist, another 5 percent are Christian, and over half take part in Taoism and a range of related folk religions, including worshiping Mazu, also spelt Matsu.
—Amy Chang Chien Lam Yik Fei, New York Times, 3 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Taoism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Taoism. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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