hedonism
noun
Donald Armstrong
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The Modern Definition of Hedonism
When hedonism first appeared in English in the middle of the 19th century, it referred to the doctrines of certain schools of philosophy in ancient Greece (such as the Epicureans and Cyrenaics), who held that happiness or pleasure constituted the chief goal in life. As used today, the word frequently carries a judgmental tinge. If someone is described as living a life of hedonism, the implication is that he or she derives happiness from debauchery rather than, say, spending quality time with family or forming meaningful relationships at work. Hedonism comes from the Greek hēdonē (“pleasure”), which also provides the root of the word anhedonia (“a psychological condition characterized by inability to experience pleasure in normally pleasurable acts”).
Examples of hedonism in a Sentence
Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
That fiscal responsibility has also been a victim of Trump’s political hedonism is just one final wound to the conservative psyche.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
When an unknown force grants his wish, Dorian’s subsequent life of hedonism and vice shifts from one of pleasure to abject horror.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025
Rick should have listened more carefully to the memorable monologue from Frank (Sam Rockwell), who described an endless, increasingly bizarre cycle of hedonism which led him to nowhere.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hedonism
Cite this Entry
“Hedonism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hedonism. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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hedonism
noun
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