as in greed
disapproving
the practice or attitude of placing an excessive emphasis on earning money, making a profit, or buying goods
the increasing commercialism of the Christmas holiday She decried the commercialism of modern society where objects of purely artistic value were often ignored.
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Recent Examples of commercialism
The less that can be said, the more likely the same things will be said, taking us from commercialism to conformity all before the actual reviews are ground down to feed a Rotten Tomatoes score (which is, I’m told, what people really value).
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
Such a move would never be tolerated or accepted by a footballing environment that remains deeply suspicious of commercialism and militantly on guard against any move in that direction.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Over the course of six seasons and two movies, the show’s thrillingly cynical core got smothered by cloying commercialism—a fixation on both wide-eyed romance and flamboyant luxury.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Aug. 2025
The movie also exposes the confluence of human curiosity, commercialism, and the ethics associated with forcing these long extinct creatures to function in a modern world.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for commercialism
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
Such a move would never be tolerated or accepted by a footballing environment that remains deeply suspicious of commercialism and militantly on guard against any move in that direction.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Over the course of six seasons and two movies, the show’s thrillingly cynical core got smothered by cloying commercialism—a fixation on both wide-eyed romance and flamboyant luxury.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Aug. 2025
The movie also exposes the confluence of human curiosity, commercialism, and the ethics associated with forcing these long extinct creatures to function in a modern world.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for commercialism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commercialism
Noun
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The dazzling works of Fra Angelico both testify to the immense wealth and power of fourteenth-century Florentine society and attempt to heal its pride, greed, and brutal inequality.—
Ingrid D. Rowland,
The New York Review of Books,
5 Feb. 2026
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The once-compassionate Democratic Party used to mobilize government for the downtrodden and check crony capitalism’s greed.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The institution is a cultural first responder that documents the effects of materialism, conformity, and mechanization.—
Gioia Woods,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
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The book describes the transition of the fictional Grinch, who had focused on the misunderstanding of materialism but was transformed by love and holiday spirit into a helpful, caring being who became part of the community.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There’s a touch of possessiveness that comes out when Eloise refers to Sophie as her lady’s maid.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
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In the film, Brack’s attraction to Hedda, investment in her material future, and his familiarity with her father are all underlined, and by the end feel like a mounting pressure of desire and possessiveness directed at her.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commercialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commercialism. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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