consumerism

noun

con·​sum·​er·​ism kən-ˈsü-mə-ˌri-zəm 

-mər-ˌi-

1

: the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable

also : a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods

… the contemporary marketplace is shaped solely by the craven needs of lowbrow consumerism …

—Thomas Byrne Edsall

2

: the promotion of the consumer's interests

consumerist

kən-ˈsü-mə-rist 

-mər-ist

noun or adjective

consumeristic

kən-ˌsü-mə-ˈri-stik 

-mər-ˈi-

adjective

Examples of consumerism in a Sentence

concerns about increasing consumerism among teenagers

Recent Examples on the Web

But disabled parenting actually offers practices that can make parenting more humane for everyone: accepting our flaws, relying on community, and rejecting consumerism. —Jessica Slice, Time, 9 May 2025

My thoughts on conscious consumerism are straightforward. —Wayne Elsey, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Even this bizarre relationship echoes the era’s confusion and paranoia, with its unchecked consumerism and its sense that corporate society now had a mind of its own, as well as the uneasy role celebrity plays in the whole thing. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025

The novel’s dark genius is in treating Bateman’s bespoke consumerism as the deeper psychosis. —Alexander Nazaryan, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see consume

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing consumerism

• anti-consumerism

Rhymes for consumerism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Kids Definition

consumerism

noun

con·​sum·​er·​ism kən-ˈsü-mə-ˌriz-əm 

: the promotion of the consumer's interests