essentialism
noun
es·sen·tial·ism
i-ˈsen(t)-shə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: an educational theory that ideas and skills basic to a culture should be taught to all alike by time-tested methods compare progressivism
2
: a philosophical theory ascribing ultimate reality to essence embodied in a thing perceptible to the senses compare nominalism
3
: the practice of regarding something (such as a presumed human trait) as having innate existence or universal validity rather than as being a social, ideological, or intellectual construct
Examples of essentialism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Throughout the years, different editions of Dungeons & Dragons have reconsidered some of these components of essentialism.
—
Steven Dashiell, Scientific American, 31 July 2024
This ultimately works to reinforce the norm through gender essentialism that upholds a social hierarchy that brands effeminate or ambiguous men as second class citizens.
—Josh Greenblatt, WIRED, 17 July 2024
Mussolini’s Motherhood Factories In fascist Italy, childbirth, breastfeeding and motherhood were given a hybrid structure of industrial management and eugenicist biological essentialism.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
Request a Demo Rorty’s version of redemption stands out against certain religious strands in that it is explicitly set against predestination or essentialism.
—Big Think, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for essentialism 
Steven Dashiell, Scientific American, 31 July 2024
This ultimately works to reinforce the norm through gender essentialism that upholds a social hierarchy that brands effeminate or ambiguous men as second class citizens.
—Josh Greenblatt, WIRED, 17 July 2024
Mussolini’s Motherhood Factories In fascist Italy, childbirth, breastfeeding and motherhood were given a hybrid structure of industrial management and eugenicist biological essentialism.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
Request a Demo Rorty’s version of redemption stands out against certain religious strands in that it is explicitly set against predestination or essentialism.
—Big Think, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for essentialism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'essentialism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Essentialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essentialism. Accessed 16 Aug. 2024.
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