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 Byrne Edsall
Thomas Byrne Edsall 2
: the promotion of the consumer's interests
Examples of consumerism in a Sentence
concerns about increasing consumerism among teenagers
Recent Examples on the Web
David is globally recognised as a leading ecological thinker, teacher, writer and speaker promoting permaculture as a realistic, attractive and powerful alternative to dependent consumerism.
—Catherine Habgood
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Known for sculptures and videos centering intertwined themes of climate change and consumerism, Yang since 2017 has taught at the Städelschule in Berlin, dividing her time between the German city and Seoul.
—News Desk, Artforum, 23 Sep. 2025
The track pokes fun at consumerism and a materialistic society constantly seeking the next best thing, a theme that remains relevant nearly 45 years later.
—Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
But her biggest achievement is the cultural change she’s helped affect: through her witty, tongue-in-cheek designs, she’s helped turn upcycling from a stodgy homeschoolers’ craft into an edgy and provocative response to consumerism at large.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consumerism
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Catherine Habgood
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Known for sculptures and videos centering intertwined themes of climate change and consumerism, Yang since 2017 has taught at the Städelschule in Berlin, dividing her time between the German city and Seoul.
—News Desk, Artforum, 23 Sep. 2025
The track pokes fun at consumerism and a materialistic society constantly seeking the next best thing, a theme that remains relevant nearly 45 years later.
—Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
But her biggest achievement is the cultural change she’s helped affect: through her witty, tongue-in-cheek designs, she’s helped turn upcycling from a stodgy homeschoolers’ craft into an edgy and provocative response to consumerism at large.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consumerism
Cite this Entry
“Consumerism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumerism. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
consumerism
noun
con·sum·er·ism
kən-ˈsü-mə-ˌriz-əm
: the promotion of the consumer's interests
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