To save this word, you'll need to log in.
ac·tu·al·ism | \ ˈak-chə(-wə)-ˌli-zəm, -shə- \
plural -s
Definition of actualism
1 : a philosophical doctrine that all existence is active or spiritual, not inert or dead, or that reality is founded on activity or consists of process
2 : the theory that the self is a bundle of successive perceptions rather than a unified substance or entity
3 geology : uniformitarianism sense 1 But a uniformity of causes does not imply a uniformity of rates, intensities, conditions, or results. … Some people consider actualism a better term than uniformitarianism. Processes that actually operate now, or those inferred to operate, can explain features and events of the past.— Alan M. Cvancara, A Field Manual For The Amateur Geologist, 1995
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on actualism
What made you want to look up actualism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share actualism
Time Traveler for actualism
The first known use of actualism was in 1858
See more words from the same year