relativism
noun
rel·a·tiv·ism
ˈre-lə-ti-ˌvi-zəm 
1
a
: a theory that knowledge is relative to the limited nature of the mind and the conditions of knowing
b
: a view that ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them
2
Examples of relativism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Belief in objective truth is necessary to pursue the higher things and to protect against relativism and nihilism.
—
The Editors, National Review, 16 Oct. 2023
At the end, Gary espouses a belief in a Nietzschean form of relativism, or a collectivist view of moral truth, with a strong emphasis on individualism.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2023
Grammar is out, relativism is in, and the very project of telling (alt: teaching) other people how to speak or write has come to be seen by many Americans as authoritarian on its face.
—S.c. Cornell, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2023
One of the ironies of our overheated present moment is that the rationalist panic about social constructionism has become aligned with the Christian right’s panic about moral relativism.
—Hari Kunzru, Harper’s Magazine , 22 June 2022
From these insights Harry V. Jaffa in his great books on Lincoln (1959, 2000) also reconstructed, against feckless scientistic relativism (e.g., Clarence Darrow and the influential historian Carl Becker), the perennial relevance of the great statesman’s vision of America, the West, and the world.
—M. D. Aeschliman, National Review, 8 Aug. 2021
Critics on the right, like philosopher Allan Bloom, once complained about the flaccid relativism of progressives who preached tolerance as the highest virtue.
—Michael S. Roth, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2023
The question is even more urgent for someone like Wolfe, who portrays America as a formerly Christian polity undermined by immigration and relativism.
—Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2023
Einstein’s theories as ideational relativism.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 3 May 2021
See More
The Editors, National Review, 16 Oct. 2023
At the end, Gary espouses a belief in a Nietzschean form of relativism, or a collectivist view of moral truth, with a strong emphasis on individualism.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2023
Grammar is out, relativism is in, and the very project of telling (alt: teaching) other people how to speak or write has come to be seen by many Americans as authoritarian on its face.
—S.c. Cornell, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2023
One of the ironies of our overheated present moment is that the rationalist panic about social constructionism has become aligned with the Christian right’s panic about moral relativism.
—Hari Kunzru, Harper’s Magazine , 22 June 2022
From these insights Harry V. Jaffa in his great books on Lincoln (1959, 2000) also reconstructed, against feckless scientistic relativism (e.g., Clarence Darrow and the influential historian Carl Becker), the perennial relevance of the great statesman’s vision of America, the West, and the world.
—M. D. Aeschliman, National Review, 8 Aug. 2021
Critics on the right, like philosopher Allan Bloom, once complained about the flaccid relativism of progressives who preached tolerance as the highest virtue.
—Michael S. Roth, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2023
The question is even more urgent for someone like Wolfe, who portrays America as a formerly Christian polity undermined by immigration and relativism.
—Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2023
Einstein’s theories as ideational relativism.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 3 May 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'relativism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near relativism
Cite this Entry
“Relativism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relativism. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on relativism
Nglish: Translation of relativism for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about relativism
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share