credentialism
noun
cre·den·tial·ism
kri-ˈden(t)-shə-ˌli-zəm 
: undue emphasis on credentials (such as college degrees) as prerequisites to employment
Examples of credentialism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By contrast, credentialism matters less when the skills in question can be quantified.
—
WSJ, 26 Oct. 2021
At that point, many people will lean into credentialism.
—WSJ, 26 Oct. 2021
But there are intermingled questions of gender, race, and credentialism that are likely at play, too.
—Ankush Khardori, The New Republic, 21 Apr. 2021
But much of it is mere credentialism, an attempt to improve a child’s position in the queue for the best universities, and hence the best jobs.
—The Economist, 5 Dec. 2019
Thanks to creeping credentialism, many jobs that once didn’t require a bachelor’s degree now do.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 24 June 2019
Few institutions have suffered the backlash against elitism and credentialism as much as central banks, which are mostly run by professional economists.
...
—Greg Ip, WSJ, 14 Apr. 2019
The credentialism of the Democratic Party is not widely shared by the public at large.
—Jeet Heer, The New Republic, 21 Mar. 2018
Linda Galipeau, chief executive officer of staffing provider Randstad North America, says credentialism is a problem for lots of job prospects.
—Bloomberg.com, 16 Jan. 2018
WSJ, 26 Oct. 2021
At that point, many people will lean into credentialism.
—WSJ, 26 Oct. 2021
But there are intermingled questions of gender, race, and credentialism that are likely at play, too.
—Ankush Khardori, The New Republic, 21 Apr. 2021
But much of it is mere credentialism, an attempt to improve a child’s position in the queue for the best universities, and hence the best jobs.
—The Economist, 5 Dec. 2019
Thanks to creeping credentialism, many jobs that once didn’t require a bachelor’s degree now do.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 24 June 2019
Few institutions have suffered the backlash against elitism and credentialism as much as central banks, which are mostly run by professional economists.
...
—Greg Ip, WSJ, 14 Apr. 2019
The credentialism of the Democratic Party is not widely shared by the public at large.
—Jeet Heer, The New Republic, 21 Mar. 2018
Linda Galipeau, chief executive officer of staffing provider Randstad North America, says credentialism is a problem for lots of job prospects.
—Bloomberg.com, 16 Jan. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'credentialism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near credentialism
Cite this Entry
“Credentialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/credentialism. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share