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
But from the beginning, Chiuri was the target of critics who skimmed over the political messages of her shows and dismissed her efforts to create wearable wardrobe options for women as bland commercialism.
—
Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
This is the final stop on our tour, which tells the story of how reggaetón music is fueling commercialism in Medellín and transforming tourism in the city.
—Cat Sposato, AFAR Media, 18 Mar. 2025
Gosney said Soleri’s opposition to commercialism had stymied the growth of Arcosanti, a community already separate from major metropolitan areas.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
For an experimental project that eschewed commercialism and grew in the studio, American’s backing proved pivotal, because the label provided the time and money to make whatever music Deconstruction wanted to make, which wasn’t a privilege most bands got.
—Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for commercialism
Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
This is the final stop on our tour, which tells the story of how reggaetón music is fueling commercialism in Medellín and transforming tourism in the city.
—Cat Sposato, AFAR Media, 18 Mar. 2025
Gosney said Soleri’s opposition to commercialism had stymied the growth of Arcosanti, a community already separate from major metropolitan areas.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
For an experimental project that eschewed commercialism and grew in the studio, American’s backing proved pivotal, because the label provided the time and money to make whatever music Deconstruction wanted to make, which wasn’t a privilege most bands got.
—Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for commercialism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commercialism
Noun
-
Prosecutors have alleged that Mangione wanted to send a message about corporate greed.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
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But people can get very emotional about money, experiencing feelings from scarcity and fear to greed, anxiety, shame, and guilt.—
Gabriel Shahin,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Novel spiritual beliefs are pushing you to release the need for materialism.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
4 Sep. 2025
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The Roses stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch in a new spin on the same story, examining how status and materialism impact interpersonal relationships.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Wright is magnetic, walking a fine line between maternal concern and suffocating possessiveness.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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There’s a certain irony in China’s possessiveness over its Labubu IP.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Commercialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commercialism. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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