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
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The chinks in the armor are most pronounced in the brief glimpses of Hao’s home life; his wife is a lifestyle coach for women and domestic conversations tend to arc towards tense gender essentialism.
—
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Misappropriating genetics While science does not support genetic essentialism or other underpinnings of replacement theory, this exact rationale has made its way into national immigration policy.
—Shoumita Dasgupta, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025
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
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J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Misappropriating genetics While science does not support genetic essentialism or other underpinnings of replacement theory, this exact rationale has made its way into national immigration policy.
—Shoumita Dasgupta, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025
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
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 2 Feb. 2025.
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