ism

1 of 2

noun

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 ismsJoycelyn Elders

-ism

2 of 2

noun suffix

1
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

-ism

Noun suffix

Middle English -isme, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, partly from Latin -isma (from Greek) & partly from Latin -ismus, from Greek -ismos; Greek -isma & -ismos, from verbs in -izein -ize

First Known Use

Noun

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ism was in 1680

Dictionary Entries Near ism

Cite this Entry

“Ism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ism. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ism

1 of 2 noun
1
: a distinctive belief, cause, or theory
2
: an oppressive and especially discriminatory attitude or belief

-ism

2 of 2 noun suffix
ˌiz-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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