ism

1 of 2

noun

1
: a distinctive doctrine, cause, or theory
2
: an oppressive and especially discriminatory attitude or belief
we all have got to come to grips with our ismsJoycelyn Elders

-ism

2 of 2

noun suffix

1
a
: act : practice : process
criticism
plagiarism
b
: manner of action or behavior characteristic of a (specified) person or thing
animalism
c
: prejudice or discrimination on the basis of a (specified) attribute
racism
sexism
2
a
: state : condition : property
barbarianism
b
: abnormal state or condition resulting from excess of a (specified) thing
alcoholism
or marked by resemblance to (such) a person or thing
giantism
3
a
: doctrine : theory : religion
Buddhism
b
: adherence to a system or a class of principles
stoicism
4
: characteristic or peculiar feature or trait
colloquialism

Example Sentences

Noun Cubism, Impressionism, and other artistic isms. ageism, racism, sexism, and all the other familiar isms
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But in its tone, format, and subject matter, the Jay Roach–directed HBO film evokes all the patriotic kumbaya-ism of Lin-Manuel Miranda production with none of the fun or artistic payoff. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2020 The Biden administration pleaded safety-ism to excuse its delay in shooting down the balloon. WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023 At least 30 apartment developments stalled or were shelved across metro Phoenix in 2021 due to not-in-my-backyard-ism, zoning issues and political backlash. AZCentral.com, 24 May 2022 Drake turns the introduction’s quintessential Drake-ism inward. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2023 In real- life, disdain for dog discharge was not an Otto-ism that Hanks can relate to. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2023 Most of the doors open to reveal a Bob Ross-ism or meditation rather than a painting activity. Katie Melynn, Peoplemag, 2 Dec. 2022 Biden started out the fall campaign season with a major speech about democracy in Philadelphia on September 1 that was a sharp attack on Donald Trump and MAGA-ism. Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 21 Nov. 2022 Many candidates who embraced Trump-ism and election-denying fell short in competitive races. James Pindell, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

-ism

Noun suffix

Middle English -isme, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, partly from Latin -isma (from Greek) & partly from Latin -ismus, from Greek -ismos; Greek -isma & -ismos, from verbs in -izein -ize

First Known Use

Noun

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ism was in 1680

Dictionary Entries Near ism

Cite this Entry

“Ism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ism. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

ism

1 of 2 noun
1
: a distinctive belief, cause, or theory
2
: an oppressive and especially discriminatory attitude or belief

-ism

2 of 2 noun suffix
ˌiz-əm
1
a
: act : practice : process
criticism
plagiarism
b
: manner of action or behavior
heroism
2
a
: state : condition : property
skepticism
b
: abnormal state or condition
alcoholism
3
: doctrine : theory : cult
Buddhism
socialism
4
: characteristic or peculiar feature
colloquialism
Etymology

Noun suffix

derived from Greek -isma and Greek -ismos (noun suffixes)

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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