anti-science

noun

an·​ti-sci·​ence ˌan-tē-ˈsī-ən(t)s How to pronounce anti-science (audio)
ˌan-tī-
variants or less commonly antiscience
: a set or system of attitudes and beliefs that are opposed to or reject science and scientific methods and principles
And for a show even remotely about news—as well as a groundbreaking newswoman like Walters—to legitimize McCarthy's dangerous antiscience … is irresponsible and shameful.James Poniewozik
anti-science adjective
or less commonly antiscience
an anti-science bias
… many currents of irrational, anti-science, anti-intellectual feelings that arise partly from fears and partly from reaction to errors or arrogance among scientists. Edmund Fuller
anti-scientific adjective
or less commonly antiscientific
anti-scientific attitudes

Examples of anti-science in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The second troubling political trend has been the anti-science and anti-vaccination movements and political leaders providing fuel to these movements, amplifying their messaging. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Even in a decade marred by online grifters, shameless politicians, and an alternative right-wing-media complex pushing anti-science fringe theories, the events of the past few weeks stand out for their depravity and nihilism. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2024 Responses to the pandemic also polarized on political lines In contrast, anti-science skepticism among many Republican voters, was amplified by President Trump and led by those in partisan Trump counties, downplaying the severity of Covid-19. London School Of Economics, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Trump made anti-science incompetence and disregard for the welfare of Americans part of our history. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024 But other forces are at play as well such as the general lack of critical and scientific thinking with a growing anti-science mentality. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024 Thanks in part to social media, anti-science has become more virulent and widespread, the Virology authors write. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024 The increasingly virulent and widespread anti-science agenda damages individual scientists and their institutions, and hinders planning to counter future epidemics and pandemics. John P. Moore, STAT, 2 Aug. 2024 But in recent years Dr. Anthony Fauci, who combatted infectious diseases at the National Institutes of Health, has been targeted by a partisan, anti-science spectrum of opponents. David Morgan, CBS News, 13 June 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anti-science.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anti-science was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near anti-science

Cite this Entry

“Anti-science.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-science. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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