institutionalism
noun
in·sti·tu·tion·al·ism
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: emphasis on organization (as in religion) at the expense of other factors
2
: public institutional care of disabled, delinquent, or dependent persons
3
: an economic school of thought that emphasizes the role of social institutions in influencing economic behavior
Examples of institutionalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jordan’s holdouts, on the other hand, fit a much different mold—an ideologically diverse group of Republicans with a yen for institutionalism.
—
Grace Segers, The New Republic, 19 Oct. 2023
In this view, the institutionalism and proceduralism of Obama’s imagination, and his reluctance to engage in anything disruptive, failed to win over his enemies, who were only further enraged by his imperturbability, and left in ascendancy his most malign adversary.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
Yeah, maybe institutionalism can actually bring a level of clarity and rationality to our Supreme Court.
—How To Save A Country, The New Republic, 15 June 2023
That was just an example, though, of the rigid institutionalism of Garland's Justice Department that's brought a reluctance to undo decisions made by his corrupt predecessor, William Barr, as if the preceding four years of lawlessness had been a mirage.
—Will Bunch, Star Tribune, 26 July 2021
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s new openness to liberal priorities such as eliminating the legislative filibuster and packing the Supreme Court raise fresh questions about how durable his centrism and institutionalism will be once under pressure from his left flank on Capitol Hill.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2020
Did Greene actually bend toward institutionalism, or did the institution relent?
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 11 Jan. 2023
What has been on display is a perfect storm of misjudgment and anti-institutionalism.
—Dan Balz, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Jan. 2023
No one can grant permission for this kind of reconciliation grounded in personal experience or legislate its effect, thus explaining the vehemence of Hickey’s anti-institutionalism.
—Jarrett Earnest, The New York Review of Books, 8 June 2022
Grace Segers, The New Republic, 19 Oct. 2023
In this view, the institutionalism and proceduralism of Obama’s imagination, and his reluctance to engage in anything disruptive, failed to win over his enemies, who were only further enraged by his imperturbability, and left in ascendancy his most malign adversary.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
Yeah, maybe institutionalism can actually bring a level of clarity and rationality to our Supreme Court.
—How To Save A Country, The New Republic, 15 June 2023
That was just an example, though, of the rigid institutionalism of Garland's Justice Department that's brought a reluctance to undo decisions made by his corrupt predecessor, William Barr, as if the preceding four years of lawlessness had been a mirage.
—Will Bunch, Star Tribune, 26 July 2021
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s new openness to liberal priorities such as eliminating the legislative filibuster and packing the Supreme Court raise fresh questions about how durable his centrism and institutionalism will be once under pressure from his left flank on Capitol Hill.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2020
Did Greene actually bend toward institutionalism, or did the institution relent?
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 11 Jan. 2023
What has been on display is a perfect storm of misjudgment and anti-institutionalism.
—Dan Balz, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Jan. 2023
No one can grant permission for this kind of reconciliation grounded in personal experience or legislate its effect, thus explaining the vehemence of Hickey’s anti-institutionalism.
—Jarrett Earnest, The New York Review of Books, 8 June 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'institutionalism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Institutionalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institutionalism. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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