individualism

noun

ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce individualism (audio)
Definition of individualismnext
1
as in trick
an odd or peculiar habit the novelist gives each character an assortment of individualisms that sets them apart

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in identity
the set of qualities that make a person different from other people his individualism and epic vision set him well apart from other architects of his generation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of individualism Though the conventional story told about the YBAs is one of friendship and community, what stands out now is their allegiance to neoliberal individualism. — Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 In a country known for its bootstrap individualism, this was a monumental handout; officials ultimately doled out an area the size of Pakistan. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Alongside this, spurred by the digital revolution, Italian culture is shifting away from solitary individualism towards a rekindled sense of community. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026 This older world is often focused on common American ideals of individualism and grit as the primary tools for attaining personal success. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for individualism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for individualism
  1. trick
  2. identity
  3. trait
  4. personality
  5. characteristic
  6. individuality
  7. mannerism
  8. eccentricity
Noun
  • Tickets for the children’s museum’s trick-or-treat morning cost $3 per person aged 1 and older, and members may attend for free.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • More Life Kit on home organization 5 clever design tricks to make a small home look bigger.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • The characters seem to represent facets of brakence’s identity, while the songs on marroW blur the line between diegetic worldbuilding and glimpses of his real life.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Over the next two years, Sguros allegedly personally paid property taxes and a water utility account while both remained in West’s name and used West’s identity on a city building permit application, the affidavit said.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of identity
Noun
  • The traits rewarded in high-performing individual contributors—like decisiveness, high output, competitive drive—are not necessarily the same traits that make an effective manager.
    — Miriam Groom, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Like Saban, Smart demands physicality, instills competitiveness and obsesses over details — traits Sumrall values, too.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of trait
Noun
  • In some cases, the contenders have made statements many Jews perceive as antisemitic or who have alliances with personalities known for statements widely viewed as antisemitic.
    — Tovah Lazaroff, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
  • In many ways, the joy of playing Mary is that different actors bring different aspects and personality nuances to the role.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of personality
Noun
  • Women’s Health’s guide to hair rollers walks through how roller techniques and hair characteristics affect the finished result.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026
  • To colleagues, Tafoya’s defining characteristic was preparation.
    — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of characteristic
Noun
  • That people should be allowed to live and express their individuality in their own way.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026
  • For now, the trial provides compelling evidence that a cancer’s individuality can become a therapeutic opportunity.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of individuality
Noun
  • The system was trained for over a thousand hours on roughly six thousand images and frames of film and other media in order to replicate Dalí’s facial expressions, body movements, speech patterns, and mannerisms.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
  • And judging by the amount of controversy that’s already been stirred up, Sacha Baron Cohen’s iconic character of a middle-class white Brit appropriating hip-hop and Jamaican mannerisms still has the ability to rile people.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of mannerism
Noun
  • There’s a hint of eccentricity and individuality to it that feels particularly exciting for SS27.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But the scenes of Roy using household objects to relay the action of the game (accompanied by twinkling music) push Keeley beyond the limits of eccentricity.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of eccentricity

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individual
individualism
individualisms
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Cite this Entry

“Individualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individualism. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on individualism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about individualism

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