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 isms—
Joycelyn Elders
Joycelyn Elders1
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
Examples of ism in a Sentence
Noun
Cubism, Impressionism, and other artistic isms.
ageism, racism, sexism, and all the other familiar isms
Recent Examples on the Web
Sheila Callaham, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
For Mearsheimer, analysis of the three isms ultimately provides an alternative route to arrive at the conclusion that a strategy of liberal hegemony is bound to fail—and has, in fact, failed for the United States.
—Jake Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2018
Although not prominently acknowledged, Trump and Vladimir Putin espouse a very real and formidable political ideology which appeals to their electorate—the ism in which both brazenly trade is revanchism.
—Edward A. Wasserman, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2024
But rather than participate in this kind of sexism — and also not engage in outright single-ism — maybe set some ground rules in advance.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for ism 
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Noun
Like any other ism, ageism is complex and layered, with stereotyping taking several forms.
—Sheila Callaham, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
For Mearsheimer, analysis of the three isms ultimately provides an alternative route to arrive at the conclusion that a strategy of liberal hegemony is bound to fail—and has, in fact, failed for the United States.
—Jake Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2018
Although not prominently acknowledged, Trump and Vladimir Putin espouse a very real and formidable political ideology which appeals to their electorate—the ism in which both brazenly trade is revanchism.
—Edward A. Wasserman, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2024
But rather than participate in this kind of sexism — and also not engage in outright single-ism — maybe set some ground rules in advance.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for ism
Dictionary Entries Near ism
Cite this Entry
“Ism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ism
1 of 2 noun1
: a distinctive belief, cause, or theory
2
: an oppressive and especially discriminatory attitude or belief
-ism
2 of 2 noun suffixˌiz-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)
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