centralism

noun

cen·​tral·​ism ˈsen-trə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce centralism (audio)
: the concentration of power and control in the central authority of an organization (such as a political or educational system) compare federalism
centralist noun or adjective
centralistic adjective

Examples of centralism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Back then, fear of centralism sprang from populists such as William Jennings Bryan, who hankered for easier credit for farmers. Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2022 Many Catalans see the party as the embodiment of Castilian centralism, and feel marginalised by its drive to aggrandise Madrid. The Economist, 2 Nov. 2017 But while the former backs Catalonia's right to a binding vote on independence, the latter is synonymous with unified Spanish centralism. Nick Bailey, NBC News, 7 Oct. 2017 According to historian Robert Service: Lenin’s ideas on violence, dictatorship, terror, centralism, hierarchy and leadership were integral to Stalin’s thinking. James Freeman, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2017 For years, FC Barcelona symbolized Catalan regional pride in the face of Spanish centralism based in Madrid. Diego Von Vacano, NBC News, 19 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'centralism.' 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

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of centralism was in 1825

Dictionary Entries Near centralism

Cite this Entry

“Centralism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centralism. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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