paternalism
noun
pa·ter·nal·ism
pə-ˈtər-nə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: a system under which an authority undertakes to supply needs or regulate conduct of those under its control in matters affecting them as individuals as well as in their relations to authority and to each other
the empire's paternalism in regard to its colonies
2
: a policy or practice based on or characteristic of paternalism
Examples of paternalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As these plots intersect, Morisseau mines the rich vein that is blurriness between economic self-determination and exploitation and the way that, as Thomas points out, white liberal and Black American economic guilt greases the wheels of paternalism, powering the whole thing.
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024
Meanwhile, many doctors refuse to perform permanent birth-control procedures, such as tubal ligations, for fear that a patient will regret it—a concern that often seems grounded not in actual legal barriers but in paternalism.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024
All the while, the Jensens (young Julia included) treat her with a shifting mix of condescending paternalism and low-grade hostility.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2024
Western powers should focus on not making things worse by, for example, trying to scare middle powers away from joining BRICS, which smacks of paternalism and quasi-colonial interference.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paternalism 
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.
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024
Meanwhile, many doctors refuse to perform permanent birth-control procedures, such as tubal ligations, for fear that a patient will regret it—a concern that often seems grounded not in actual legal barriers but in paternalism.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024
All the while, the Jensens (young Julia included) treat her with a shifting mix of condescending paternalism and low-grade hostility.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2024
Western powers should focus on not making things worse by, for example, trying to scare middle powers away from joining BRICS, which smacks of paternalism and quasi-colonial interference.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paternalism
Dictionary Entries Near paternalism
Cite this Entry
“Paternalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternalism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share