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
The fallacy of genetic essentialism Genetic essentialism is the concept that genes alone are the reason why someone develops a specific trait or behaves a certain way.
—
Shoumita Dasgupta, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025
Though cis creators have played with the concept of post-apocalyptic worlds in which groups of people are mysteriously eliminated based on biological characteristics, Manhunt avoids essentialism by centering its narrative around two trans women, Beth and Fran.
—James Factora, Them, 11 Oct. 2024
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
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Shoumita Dasgupta, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025
Though cis creators have played with the concept of post-apocalyptic worlds in which groups of people are mysteriously eliminated based on biological characteristics, Manhunt avoids essentialism by centering its narrative around two trans women, Beth and Fran.
—James Factora, Them, 11 Oct. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for essentialism
Dictionary Entries Near essentialism
Cite this Entry
“Essentialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essentialism. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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