consumerism

noun

con·​sum·​er·​ism kən-ˈsü-mə-ˌri-zəm 

-mər-ˌi-

1

: the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable

also : a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods

… the contemporary marketplace is shaped solely by the craven needs of lowbrow consumerism …

—Thomas B. Edsall

2

: the promotion of the consumer's interests

consumerist

kən-ˈsü-mə-rist 

-mər-ist

noun or adjective

consumeristic

kən-ˌsü-mə-ˈri-stik 

-mər-ˈi-

adjective

Examples of consumerism in a Sentence

concerns about increasing consumerism among teenagers

Recent Examples on the Web

The artist’s body of work includes jabs at consumerism, materialism, logomania and high-low dressing. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Then two girls presented a McDonald’s apple pie, representing corporations and consumerism having replaced mom’s cooking. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

All this rapacious consumerism sits somewhat awkwardly alongside Hermès’s image of Old World gentility. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

The primary reasons for this was to spread economic expansion and consumerism, so that people can sell products. — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see consume

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing consumerism

• anti-consumerism

Rhymes for consumerism

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

Kids Definition

consumerism

noun

con·​sum·​er·​ism kən-ˈsü-mə-ˌriz-əm 

: the promotion of the consumer's interests