paternalism
noun
pa·ter·nal·ism
pə-ˈtər-nə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: a system under which an authority undertakes to supply needs or regulate conduct of those under its control in matters affecting them as individuals as well as in their relations to authority and to each other
the empire's paternalism in regard to its colonies
2
: a policy or practice based on or characteristic of paternalism
Examples of paternalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At times, Singer (who is himself a general surgeon) suggests that much government regulation of medical care is overzealous paternalism.
—
John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Technocratic paternalism, a genuine belief that facts settle policy, could be one reason.
—Jacob Hale Russell, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Early in the film, Samuel offers the same reproach to Romy, and the unexpected flicker of paternalism is part of what catches her interest.
—Alex Barasch, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
As these plots intersect, Morisseau mines the rich vein that is blurriness between economic self-determination and exploitation and the way that, as Thomas points out, white liberal and Black American economic guilt greases the wheels of paternalism, powering the whole thing.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024
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John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Technocratic paternalism, a genuine belief that facts settle policy, could be one reason.
—Jacob Hale Russell, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Early in the film, Samuel offers the same reproach to Romy, and the unexpected flicker of paternalism is part of what catches her interest.
—Alex Barasch, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
As these plots intersect, Morisseau mines the rich vein that is blurriness between economic self-determination and exploitation and the way that, as Thomas points out, white liberal and Black American economic guilt greases the wheels of paternalism, powering the whole thing.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for paternalism
Cite this Entry
“Paternalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternalism. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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