voluntarism

noun

vol·​un·​ta·​rism ˈvä-lən-tə-ˌri-zəm How to pronounce voluntarism (audio)
1
: the principle or system of doing something by or relying on voluntary action or volunteers
2
: a theory that conceives will to be the dominant factor in experience or in the world
voluntarist
ˈvä-lən-tə-rist How to pronounce voluntarism (audio)
noun
voluntaristic
ˌvä-lən-tə-ˈri-stik How to pronounce voluntarism (audio)
adjective

Examples of voluntarism 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.
Flittner also serves as an Indiana Wish board member and as the president of the Junior League of Indianapolis, an organization of women that aims to help a community through voluntarism and supporting women. — Madison Smalstig, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Oct. 2022 Pichai considers such voluntarism good team-building, especially for a more hybrid workforce. — Randall Lane, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of voluntarism was in 1838

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“Voluntarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voluntarism. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about voluntarism

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