ableism
noun
able·ism
ˈā-bə-ˌli-zəm 
: discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities
Examples of ableism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Barbarin, who has cerebral palsy, offered her insight on the ableism that’s taken place in these conversations around Boseman, his cancer and his work, and the harm caused by romanticizing and weaponizing the ways in which disabled people choose to live their lives.
—
Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2020
That idea of not recognizing our own internalized ableism or complicity in it is key to where the conversation goes next.
—Rosie Knight, refinery29.com, 28 Apr. 2021
An opportunity to consider ableism and social expectations.
—Nancy Doyle, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2021
In short, the STEM education of most students with disabilities is a low priority because of ableism—biases and preconceptions that assume disabled students can’t succeed.
—Joshua Miele, Time, 16 Dec. 2022
In this lovely conversation, activist Alice Wong and science journalist Ed Yong talk about the diversity of the natural world, the senses of organisms, ableism in science, the strangeness and unpredictability of sensory biology, and more.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 15 July 2022
Structural ableism is baked into U.S. institutions, policies, and procedures, much as how other sources of bias have structural foundations.
—Steven Barnett, STAT, 3 Jan. 2023
Some feel validated to see their own experiences of ableism and neglect reflected back to them.
—Lindsay Lee Wallace, Time, 27 Oct. 2022
Disability advocates told ABC News that this is a moment for many to acknowledge the ways in which ableism has become the norm.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 26 Oct. 2022
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Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2020
That idea of not recognizing our own internalized ableism or complicity in it is key to where the conversation goes next.
—Rosie Knight, refinery29.com, 28 Apr. 2021
An opportunity to consider ableism and social expectations.
—Nancy Doyle, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2021
In short, the STEM education of most students with disabilities is a low priority because of ableism—biases and preconceptions that assume disabled students can’t succeed.
—Joshua Miele, Time, 16 Dec. 2022
In this lovely conversation, activist Alice Wong and science journalist Ed Yong talk about the diversity of the natural world, the senses of organisms, ableism in science, the strangeness and unpredictability of sensory biology, and more.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 15 July 2022
Structural ableism is baked into U.S. institutions, policies, and procedures, much as how other sources of bias have structural foundations.
—Steven Barnett, STAT, 3 Jan. 2023
Some feel validated to see their own experiences of ableism and neglect reflected back to them.
—Lindsay Lee Wallace, Time, 27 Oct. 2022
Disability advocates told ABC News that this is a moment for many to acknowledge the ways in which ableism has become the norm.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 26 Oct. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ableism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1976, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ableism
Cite this Entry
“Ableism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ableism. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
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