voluntarism
noun
vol·un·ta·rism
ˈvä-lən-tə-ˌri-zəm 
1
: the principle or system of doing something by or relying on voluntary action or volunteers
2
: a theory that conceives will to be the dominant factor in experience or in the world
Examples of voluntarism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rittenhouse, by contrast, blurred the distinction between racial nationalism and civic nationalism by claiming to act not as a white supremacist but rather as a defender of people and property, and thus as an emblem of cherished American values of voluntarism and community care.
—
Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 11 Aug. 2021
Flittner also serves as an Indiana Wish board member and as the president of the Junior League of Indianapolis, an organization of women that aims to help a community through voluntarism and supporting women.
—Madison Smalstig, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Oct. 2022
Pichai considers such voluntarism good team-building, especially for a more hybrid workforce.
—Randall Lane, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022
Yet the third month of war finds Russia, not the United States, struggling under an unprecedented hacking wave that entwines government activity, political voluntarism and criminal action.
—Washington Post, 1 May 2022
To be considered, applicants need to volunteer outside of school and place emphasis on encouraging voluntarism as well as assisting others in reaching their potential.
—Natalya Jones, sun-sentinel.com, 17 Mar. 2022
Translation, what voluntarism and democracy won’t deliver, business must.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 28 Jan. 2022
Marking a shift away from the voluntarism that the administration has depended on until this point, the President is following the science by adopting the forceful model now being put into place for city employees in New York and Los Angeles.
—Julian Zelizer, CNN, 29 July 2021
The bill was an effort to restore voluntarism to American labor relations, and to give workers back a core freedom of association: the right to refrain from union membership.
—Michael Watson, National Review, 19 Oct. 2020
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Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 11 Aug. 2021
Flittner also serves as an Indiana Wish board member and as the president of the Junior League of Indianapolis, an organization of women that aims to help a community through voluntarism and supporting women.
—Madison Smalstig, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Oct. 2022
Pichai considers such voluntarism good team-building, especially for a more hybrid workforce.
—Randall Lane, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022
Yet the third month of war finds Russia, not the United States, struggling under an unprecedented hacking wave that entwines government activity, political voluntarism and criminal action.
—Washington Post, 1 May 2022
To be considered, applicants need to volunteer outside of school and place emphasis on encouraging voluntarism as well as assisting others in reaching their potential.
—Natalya Jones, sun-sentinel.com, 17 Mar. 2022
Translation, what voluntarism and democracy won’t deliver, business must.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 28 Jan. 2022
Marking a shift away from the voluntarism that the administration has depended on until this point, the President is following the science by adopting the forceful model now being put into place for city employees in New York and Los Angeles.
—Julian Zelizer, CNN, 29 July 2021
The bill was an effort to restore voluntarism to American labor relations, and to give workers back a core freedom of association: the right to refrain from union membership.
—Michael Watson, National Review, 19 Oct. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'voluntarism.' 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
1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near voluntarism
Cite this Entry
“Voluntarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voluntarism. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on voluntarism
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about voluntarism
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