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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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
  • As the title promises, YouTube-esque explainer videos featuring four gunmen in wolf masks bring the tips and tricks of bank robbing to a legion of online followers.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Candy is dandy as a Halloween treat, but what the kids really wanted this year were the clicker keychains columnist Donna Vickroy included in her trick-or-treat bucket.
    — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • The backstory The Whit has quite the backstory—and a few former identities to show for it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Eisenkot has left that possibility open if the parties meet several conditions, including accepting Israel's identity as a Jewish state and declaring Hamas a terrorist group.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of identity
Noun
  • Another reveals a family trait or behavior that was unwittingly passed from generation to generation.
    — Gary Barron, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Claude is destined to imitate these human traits and mirror the human examples provided to it, including acting like a colleague or friend.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of trait
Noun
  • The Tortoise Acrylic Scallop Tray adds warmth and personality to a coffee table, vanity, dresser, or nightstand.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • As a childhood friend of Cooper’s, Muji also had firsthand knowledge of her personality before the fame.
    — Anna Tingley, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of personality
Noun
  • The resulting denim is rigid, thick, durable, and functional—even suitable for motorcyclists—with each piece showcasing its own unique characteristics.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Not every patient is a candidate, and suitability depends on individual hair characteristics assessed in person.
    — Burak Onal, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 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
  • Blomstedt was impressed with Bernstein's musicianship but disliked his exuberant podium mannerisms.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Definition of mannerism
Noun
  • By spreading out across so many influences instead of innovating in his niche, this new Hollis waters down his eccentricity with some derivative choices.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Their rapport gives the investigation a buddy-cop vibe that’s meant to be cute and breezy, but Mark Bianculli’s script relies on clunky wisecracks and labored eccentricities that flatten whatever low-bubbling chemistry the actors share.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of eccentricity

Browse Nearby Words

individual
individualism
individualisms
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Individualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individualism. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on individualism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about individualism

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All