radicalism

noun

rad·​i·​cal·​ism ˈra-di-kə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce radicalism (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being radical
2
: the doctrines or principles of radicals

Examples of radicalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Zinn was a professor at Spelman College in the early and mid 1960s but was eventually fired after clashes with the school's administration over his own radicalism. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025 Royalist émigrés began to trickle back into the country in 1795, and a number of Jacobins who renounced their earlier radicalism were also reintegrated into civil society. Time, 21 Oct. 2025 Such radicalism and obstructionism from teachers’ unions and activists in K-12 education are evident at the national and local levels as well. Mitch Siegler, Oc Register, 2 Oct. 2025 Failing to address the issue of Palestine and allowing Israel to behave aggressively with impunity will also fuel a new wave of radicalism that will threaten U.S. interests, regional stability, and global security. Galip Dalay, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for radicalism

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of radicalism was in 1817

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Cite this Entry

“Radicalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radicalism. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

radicalism

noun
rad·​i·​cal·​ism ˈrad-i-kə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce radicalism (audio)
: the quality or state of being radical

More from Merriam-Webster on radicalism

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