personalism
noun
per·son·al·ism
ˈpərs-nə-ˌli-zəm 
ˈpər-sə-nə-
: a doctrine emphasizing the significance, uniqueness, and inviolability of personality
Examples of personalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In an age of personalism, individual leaders’ idiosyncrasies, dispositions, and emotions matter more than ever, yielding large policy swings when leaders change office.
—
Stacie E. Goddard,
Foreign Affairs,
31 Oct. 2025
Third, personalism of security forces weakens the power of other groups that might otherwise constrain the leader, such as elites in the ruling political party and even generals who oppose a leader’s power grab.
—
Joe Wright,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
Unpredictability In personalism thinking, the act of creation revolves around the exercise of freedom beyond necessity.
—
Iese Business School,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
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Stacie E. Goddard,
Foreign Affairs,
31 Oct. 2025
Third, personalism of security forces weakens the power of other groups that might otherwise constrain the leader, such as elites in the ruling political party and even generals who oppose a leader’s power grab.
—
Joe Wright,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
Unpredictability In personalism thinking, the act of creation revolves around the exercise of freedom beyond necessity.
—
Iese Business School,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Personalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personalism. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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