perfectionism

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noun per·fec·tion·ism \ pər-ˈfek-shə-ˌni-zəm \

Definition of perfectionism

1 a :the doctrine that the perfection of moral character constitutes a person's highest good

b :the theological doctrine that a state of freedom from sin is attainable on earth

2 :a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable

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perfectionist

play \pər-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nist\ noun or adjective

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perfectionistic

play \pər-ˌfek-shə-ˈni-stik\ adjective

Recent Examples of perfectionism from the Web

Aries Mercury retrograde has been illuminating the area of your chart associated with daily routines, tasks, and perfectionism.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What This Week's Horoscope Means for You," 28 Aug. 2017
But looking at benchmarks like that is a slippery slope to perfectionism and avoidance.

— charlotte cowles, The Cut, "How Much Money Should I Have by the Time I’m 30?," 24 Aug. 2017
His perfectionism and ingenuity have set him apart from his rap counterparts, making him a sought-after commodity within the hip-hop sphere.

— nerisha penrose, Billboard, "7 Songs You Didn't Know Kanye West Produced," 8 Aug. 2017
Also on display: his perfectionism, curious eye and innate classicizing style.

— New York Times, "Art and Museums in NYC This Week," 13 July 2017
What many do not know is what brought them together: perfectionism. .

— julie miller, VanityFair.com, "Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting: A History of His Fascinating Retirement Attempts," 20 June 2017
The plague of perfectionism on parenting blogs is rancid.

— andy borowitz, The New Yorker, "A Love Story," 22 May 2017
The new Pepper may be motivated less by money than by something else Emerick mentions: McCartney’s perfectionism.

— tim de lisle, Newsweek, "The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ at 50: Why It's Still Worth Celebrating," 14 May 2017
Watching the film, I was struck by Tower’s elegance and vulnerability, his genius and the pure relentlessness of his perfectionism.

— dana goodyear, The New Yorker, "Jeremiah Tower, a Forgotten Father of the American Food Revolution," 1 May 2017

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

First Known Use of perfectionism

1835

Medical Dictionary

perfectionism

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noun per·fec·tion·ism \ pər-ˈfek-shə-ˌniz-əm \

medical Definition of perfectionism

:a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable; especially :the setting of unrealistically demanding goals accompanied by a disposition to regard failure to achieve them as unacceptable and a sign of personal worthlessness