scientism

noun

sci·​en·​tism ˈsī-ən-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce scientism (audio)
1
: methods and attitudes typical of or attributed to the natural scientist
2
: an exaggerated trust in the efficacy of the methods of natural science applied to all areas of investigation (as in philosophy, the social sciences, and the humanities)
scientistic
ˌsī-ən-ˈti-stik How to pronounce scientism (audio)
adjective

Examples of scientism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The technical psychiatry and neurobiology of later times necessarily lacked Valéry’s poetry, and the poets themselves could never make good on his scientism without ceasing to write poetry. — Benjamin Kunkel, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024 The line is straight out of eugenics, the deeply dishonest scientism that in the early 20th century convinced many people that criminality, poverty and a host of other ills were all inherited. — Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

scient- (in Latin scientia "knowledge, science" or scientific) + -ism

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scientism was in 1870

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Cite this Entry

“Scientism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scientism. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scientism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scientism

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