ideology

noun

Save Word

ide·ol·o·gy | \ ˌī-dē-ˈä-lə-jē

, ˌi-

variants: or less commonly idealogy \ ˌī-dē-ˈä-lə-jē

, -ˈa- , ˌi- \

plural ideologies

Definition of ideology

1a : a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture

b : the integrated assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program

c : a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture

2 : visionary theorizing

Other Words from ideology Synonyms What Does ideology Mean? Example Sentences Learn More About ideology

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What Does ideology Mean?

Ideology has been in use in English since the end of the 18th century and is one of the few words whose coiner we can identify. The French writer A. L. C. Destutt de Tracy proposed it as a term to designate the “science of ideas,” and in that sense the word was quickly borrowed into English. Though ideology originated as a serious philosophical term, within a few decades it took on connotations of impracticality thanks to Napoleon, who used it in a derisive manner. Today, the word most often refers to “a systematic body of concepts,” especially those of a particular group or political party.

Examples of ideology in a Sentence

the ideology of a totalitarian society He says that the election is not about ideology.

Recent Examples on the Web Decades of disruption made Silicon Valley rich, but its ideology of technological solutionism failed the rest of us. — Jacob Silverman, The New Republic, 23 July 2021 White supremacist groups typically flyer or sticker communities with hateful propaganda to spread their ideology and intimidate groups of people with as little scrutiny as possible, Brown told The Republic. — Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 22 July 2021 There are millions of American conservatives who believe that California’s liberal leadership is nuts and fear its ideology is spreading nationally. — George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2021 The pandemic that Biden officials believe is driving the protests has been worsened by Communism, and Cuba’s misery is inexorably tied with its ideology. — Aron Ravin, National Review, 12 July 2021 The Proud Boys, like other racist groups, has worked to obfuscate its real intentions, Amarasingam said: The group cloaks its ideology to draw in recruits, then reveals its racist side once members are reeled in. — Will Carless, USA TODAY, 21 June 2021 Three of the eight parties in the new government, including Bennett’s Yamina, are headed by former Netanyahu allies who share his hard-line ideology but had deep personal disputes with him. — Josef Federman, chicagotribune.com, 13 June 2021 Pinochet and anyone who tramples human rights for their own benefit or their own ideology. — Martin Kuz, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 June 2021 Some took new names that better reflect their radicalized ideology. — Washington Post, 28 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ideology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.