individualism

in·di·vid·u·al·ism | \ ˌin-də-ˈvij-wə-ˌli-zəm, -ˈvi-jə-wə-

How to pronounce individualism (audio)

, -ˈvi-jə-ˌli- \

Definition of individualism

1a(1) : a doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically paramount also : conduct guided by such a doctrine

(2) : the conception that all values, rights, and duties originate in individuals

b : a theory maintaining the political and economic independence of the individual and stressing individual initiative, action, and interests also : conduct or practice guided by such a theory

2a : individuality

b : an individual peculiarity : idiosyncrasy

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Examples of individualism in a Sentence

a society that believes strongly in individualism He was respected for his self-reliance and individualism.

Recent Examples on the Web The thematic throughline of the films is one of individualism, heroics or success attained in spite of or against powerful outside forces and systems of control. — Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, "‘Richard Jewell’ takes Eastwood’s libertarian ethos to questionable ends," 13 Dec. 2019 Narratives of evolution were adapted by social Darwinists who claimed that competitive individualism was not only justifiable, but inevitable. — Fay Bound Alberti, Quartz, "The problem with medicalizing loneliness," 25 Nov. 2019 Hyper-individualism is not good for strengthening the ethical fiber of a society. — Jim Beckerman, USA TODAY, "Are ethics for suckers? The US has a complicated relationship with right and wrong in 2019," 26 Oct. 2019 As Americans, we are charged with recognizing two conflicting values: individualism and egalitarianism. — Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, "The Equality Conundrum," 6 Jan. 2020 Football is the most collectivist of sports, seemingly at odds with American individualism, but the United States has always been a nation of joiners and a country in thrall to the idea of team. — James Surowiecki, New York Times, "Beautiful. Violent. American. The N.F.L. at 100.," 19 Dec. 2019 Strangely, though, the more aristocratic, less meritocratic system of admissions is found not in the country with a House of Lords and a hereditary monarchy, but in the land of rugged individualism. — The Economist, "A judge finds there is nothing wrong with Harvard admissions," 5 Oct. 2019 Yet individualism, the other side of that dyad, will not leave Thompson at peace either. — Kenneth W. Mack, Washington Post, "A black writer on individualism, identity and indifference in Trump’s America," 19 Dec. 2019 But the more kind of communal understanding and care for one another—that feels like something America, in its hyper-individualism and runaway capitalism, could learn from. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, "Playwright David Henry Hwang on Flipping a Flawed Musical on Its Head in Soft Power," 25 Oct. 2019

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

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individual bond

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Last Updated

10 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Individualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/individualism. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

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