paternalism

noun

pa·ter·nal·ism | \ pə-ˈtər-nə-ˌli-zəm

Definition of paternalism

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

Other Words from paternalism More Example Sentences Learn More about paternalism

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from paternalism

paternalist \ pə-ˈtər-nə-list

\ noun or adjective

paternalistic \ pə-ˌtər-nə-ˈli-stik

\ adjective

paternalistically \ pə-ˌtər-nə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Examples of paternalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web People need more economic freedom and less federal paternalism. — WSJ, "Should 401(k) Withdrawals Be Easier?," 6 Feb. 2021 If there is a whiff of paternalism to the plans, the lawmakers behind the current swell of auto I.R.A. proposals don’t seem to mind. — New York Times, "Saving at Work for Retirement: A Perk Coming to More States in 2021," 22 Dec. 2020 Criticism might entail thinking about why some feminists passionately embraced Sarah Connor as a maternal action heroine or explaining how this sequel tries to compensate for the paternalism of its predecessor. — Washington Post, "A feminist critiques movies by and about White guys — but why?," 4 Dec. 2020 The diminutive infantilizes Blackness, and conditions social acceptance with the imposition of a hierarchical paternalism. — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Latina professors discuss use of ‘negrito’ and ‘negrita’ in Latin culture, after J.Lo controversy," 1 Nov. 2020 Indeed, the Obama administration’s guidelines reeked of paternalism. — Ron Grossman, Star Tribune, "Pondering how to parlay a Biden victory into a more united country," 29 Oct. 2020 Here is Dwight’s defining paternalism turned into a source of injury. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, "Dwight Schrute Was a Warning," 29 Oct. 2020 The individual successes of Moonlight and Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman and even Parasite, not to mention Spike Lee being named the first ever black Cannes jury head, can’t ultimately undo more than 100 years of white male paternalism. — Soraya Roberts, Longreads, "Menace Too Society," 10 Aug. 2020 The individual successes of Moonlight and Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman and even Parasite, not to mention Spike Lee being named the first ever black Cannes jury head, can’t ultimately undo more than 100 years of white male paternalism. — Soraya Roberts, Longreads, "Menace Too Society," 10 Aug. 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about paternalism

Dictionary Entries near paternalism

Statistics for paternalism

Last Updated

22 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Paternalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternalism. Accessed 7 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for paternalism

paternalism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of paternalism

usually disapproving : the attitude or actions of a person, organization, etc., that protects people and gives them what they need but does not give them any responsibility or freedom of choice

See the full definition for paternalism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Comments on paternalism

What made you want to look up paternalism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).