Darwinian
adjective
Dar·win·i·an
där-ˈwi-nē-ən 
1
: of or relating to Charles Darwin, his theories especially of evolution, or his followers
2
: of, relating to, or being a competitive environment or situation in which only the fittest persons or organizations prosper
Darwinian
noun
Examples of Darwinian in a Sentence
a Darwinian approach to evolution
The competition among manufacturers is very Darwinian.
the Darwinian world of professional sports
Recent Examples on the Web
We’re pulled, in Headland’s telling, by a weird mix of mythological pressure, Darwinian logic, residual altruism, childhood regression and (most importantly) raw personal need.
—
Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
While different religions and ancient cultures had described the planet as animate for eons, Lovelock’s contemporaries in the scientific community were more apt to shun this notion, preferring a Darwinian stance that species adapted to their environments, but not vice versa.
—Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024
People are engaged in a Darwinian struggle for survival.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 2 Dec. 2024
Comebacks are not easy in the Darwinian art world, but Juliano-Villani has become an expert in rehab.
—Jay Bulger, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024
Much like Darwinian theory, organizations that don’t adapt are likely to go extinct.
—Quid Contributor, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
This can be mentally taxing — an artist's position is never safe — and cruelly Darwinian.
—Elias Leight, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2024
If only through a Darwinian process, the Russian army has at last found some competent planners and battlefield commanders.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 4 Jan. 2023
Her rabbits, kittens, mice and squirrels are anthropomorphized, but there is a ruthless, survival-of-the-fittest ethos always in the background, creating a surreal fusion of quaint, cozy English domesticity and stern, Darwinian rigor.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
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.
Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
While different religions and ancient cultures had described the planet as animate for eons, Lovelock’s contemporaries in the scientific community were more apt to shun this notion, preferring a Darwinian stance that species adapted to their environments, but not vice versa.
—Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024
People are engaged in a Darwinian struggle for survival.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 2 Dec. 2024
Comebacks are not easy in the Darwinian art world, but Juliano-Villani has become an expert in rehab.
—Jay Bulger, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024
Much like Darwinian theory, organizations that don’t adapt are likely to go extinct.
—Quid Contributor, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
This can be mentally taxing — an artist's position is never safe — and cruelly Darwinian.
—Elias Leight, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2024
If only through a Darwinian process, the Russian army has at last found some competent planners and battlefield commanders.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 4 Jan. 2023
Her rabbits, kittens, mice and squirrels are anthropomorphized, but there is a ruthless, survival-of-the-fittest ethos always in the background, creating a surreal fusion of quaint, cozy English domesticity and stern, Darwinian rigor.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near Darwinian
Cite this Entry
“Darwinian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Darwinian. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Darwinian
adjective
Dar·win·ian
där-ˈwin-ē-ən
: of or relating to Charles Darwin, his theories especially of evolution, or his followers
Darwinian
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share