collectivism

1 of 3

noun (1)

col·​lec·​tiv·​ism kə-ˈlek-ti-ˌvi-zəm 

1

: a political or economic theory advocating collective control especially over production and distribution

also : a system marked by such control

2

: emphasis on collective rather than individual action or identity

collectivist

kə-ˈlek-ti-vist 

adjective or noun

collectivistic

kə-ˌlek-ti-ˈvi-stik 

adjective

collectivistically

kə-ˌlek-ti-ˈvi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

collectivist

2 of 3

noun (2)

col·​lec·​tiv·​ist kə-ˈlek-ti-vist 

plural -s

1

: an advocate or adherent of collectivism

2

: a member of a collective or collectivity

collectivist

3 of 3

adjective

col·​lec·​tiv·​ist kə-ˈlek-ti-vist 

variants or less commonly collectivistic

kə-¦lek-ti-¦vi-stik 

1

: favoring collectivism : based on the principles of collectivism

2

: relating to or having the characteristics of collectivism

collectivistically adverb

In strongly collectivistically-oriented societies, individual freedom tends to be rather low.

—Karl Erik Rosengren, Communication: An Introduction, 2000

Choose the Right Synonym for collectivism

socialist, communist: collectivist is likely to apply to a person approving or desiring greater control or outright ownership of major industries and resources by the state, presumably in the interests of a degree of economic equality among the whole people, this control or ownership to be achieved gradually and without violence but with some restriction on individual action.

socialist is a close synonym for collectivist in this sense, but is likely to evoke more of an emotional reaction than +communist" class="mw_t_sc">collectivist.

communist is likely to suggest one desiring more rigid and far-reaching control, often control achieved by force.

The words socialist and communist are naturally affected in their connotations by whatever particular Socialist or Communist Party or Socialism or Communism happens to be prominent in world affairs at the moment.

In matters historical or philosophical, the two words, especially the latter, may be used without praise or stigma to refer to persons favoring or accepting conditions in which the wishes and activities of the individual are checked and guided by the interests of the group, as in Plato's ideal republic, in ancient Sparta, or in some of the earliest Christian communities.

Examples of collectivism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The packet that Bruce assembled for the Social Security competition stressed that government support shored up the traditional family the way that pioneering families had helped one another; the effect was to associate the new policy with the American frontier, rather than radical collectivism. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026

The record might be considered the third in a trilogy exploring the importance of community, collectivism, and solidarity, in both joy and defiance. —Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 2 Feb. 2026

Continue reading … ERIC PATTERSON – Evils of collectivism are just warming up. —FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026

Socialists keep dreaming of collectivism as New Yorkers suffer from unserious housing policy. —Editorial Board, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

borrowed from French collectivisme, from collectif collective entry 1 + -isme -ism

Noun (2)

French collectiviste, from collectivisme + -iste -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for collectivism

• activism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism
• calvinism