traditionalism

noun

tra·​di·​tion·​al·​ism trə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: adherence to the doctrines or practices of a tradition

2

: the beliefs of those opposed to modernism, liberalism, progressivism, or radicalism

traditionalist

trə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)nə-list 

noun

plural traditionalists

traditionalist adjective

traditionalistic

trə-ˌdi-sh(ə-)nə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

Synonyms of traditionalism

• conservativeness
• conservatism

Examples of traditionalism in a Sentence

a staunch supporter of grammatical traditionalism, my English teacher didn't care what the experts in linguistics said

Recent Examples on the Web

Cycling can be guilty of prioritising traditionalism above all else — and there were individuals in the sport who dismissed them as YouTubers messing around, racing against genuine riders fighting to make a living. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 9 May 2026

Ash never endorsed the Equal Rights Amendment, and her appeals to sisterhood were carefully leavened with traditionalism. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

The music, the imagery, this focus on traditionalism. —Katie Drummond, Wired News, 3 Feb. 2026

This was part of the appeal of his candidacy, a return to traditionalism after the Clintonian chaos (Bush’s born-again Christianity promised the same). —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for traditionalism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism
• astigmatism