credentialism

noun

cre·​den·​tial·​ism kri-ˈden(t)-shə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce credentialism (audio)
: undue emphasis on credentials (such as college degrees) as prerequisites to employment

Examples of credentialism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
By contrast, credentialism matters less when the skills in question can be quantified. WSJ, 26 Oct. 2021 At that point, many people will lean into credentialism. WSJ, 26 Oct. 2021 But there are intermingled questions of gender, race, and credentialism that are likely at play, too. Ankush Khardori, The New Republic, 21 Apr. 2021 But much of it is mere credentialism, an attempt to improve a child’s position in the queue for the best universities, and hence the best jobs. The Economist, 5 Dec. 2019 Thanks to creeping credentialism, many jobs that once didn’t require a bachelor’s degree now do. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 24 June 2019 Few institutions have suffered the backlash against elitism and credentialism as much as central banks, which are mostly run by professional economists. ... Greg Ip, WSJ, 14 Apr. 2019 The credentialism of the Democratic Party is not widely shared by the public at large. Jeet Heer, The New Republic, 21 Mar. 2018 Linda Galipeau, chief executive officer of staffing provider Randstad North America, says credentialism is a problem for lots of job prospects. Bloomberg.com, 16 Jan. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of credentialism was in 1967

Dictionary Entries Near credentialism

Cite this Entry

“Credentialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/credentialism. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!