pluralism

plu·ral·ism | \ ˈplu̇r-ə-ˌli-zəm

How to pronounce pluralism (audio)

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Definition of pluralism

1 : the holding of two or more offices or positions (such as benefices) at the same time

2 : the quality or state of being plural

3a : a theory that there are more than one or more than two kinds of ultimate reality

b : a theory that reality is composed of a plurality of entities

4a : a state of society in which members of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain and develop their traditional culture or special interest within the confines of a common civilization

b : a concept, doctrine, or policy advocating this state

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Examples of pluralism in a Sentence

He spoke of the benefits of cultural pluralism. She's a champion of pluralism.

Recent Examples on the Web The Democracy Index ranks countries based on five parameters: electoral process and pluralism, the functioning of government, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties. — Sanaya Chandar, Quartz India, "India drops 10 places in The Economist’s democracy rankings over Kashmir and citizenship law," 22 Jan. 2020 Mate notes that Kerala stands out for its commitment to religious pluralism, as well as its long tradition of leftist, progressive, communist politics. — Sanya Mansoor, Time, "‘A Defining Moment.’ An Indian State’s Decision to Challenge the Country's Controversial Citizenship Law Signals a Growing Divide," 20 Jan. 2020 In other words, Whitehead and Perry find that the threat to democratic pluralism is not evangelicalism itself but the culture around evangelicalism. — Michael Luo, The New Yorker, "What It Would Take for Evangelicals to Turn on President Trump," 23 Dec. 2019 India’s rich history of secular pluralism and the Indian constitution. — Fox News, "India expected to pass law approving citizenship for nearby refugees--unless they're Muslim," 12 Dec. 2019 If this happens, Iraq will lose the possibility for a healthy pluralism. — Alon Ben-meir, National Review, "The Yazidis’ Crisis Continues to Unfold — Ending It Is a Moral Imperative," 25 Nov. 2019 Whatever else may be said for them, both arguments are departures from a long American tradition of religious pluralism. — Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review, "The First Freedom Fades," 24 Oct. 2019 Nehru and other Congress members wrote Gandhi’s dedication to secular pluralism into the country’s constitution. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "India’s 2 biggest political parties vie for Gandhi’s legacy," 1 Oct. 2019 While Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, is hailed for its embrace of religious pluralism, the country also has a painful history of domestic terrorist attacks. — New York Times, "At the Heart of Indonesia Terror Attacks, a Well-Liked Family," 18 May 2018

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

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Dictionary Entries near pluralism

plural executive

pluralistic idealism

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Last Updated

25 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Pluralism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pluralism. Accessed 22 Feb. 2020.

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