legalism
noun
le·gal·ism
ˈlē-gə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code
the institutionalized legalism that restricts free choice
2
: a legal term or rule
Examples of legalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite the Atkins decision and Florida’s own law on the issue, death row prisoners claiming to be mentally disabled still face an obstacle of legalisms contrived to favor the executioner.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2024
The point is not that Orban’s careful strategy of autocratic legalism and Mafia statecraft is based on unique dark political arts or that the regime is invincible.
—Jan-Werner Müller, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2022
At the same time, Orban has been careful not to move beyond autocratic legalism into the terrain of more openly coercive authoritarianism that might have prompted EU intervention.
—Jan-Werner Müller, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2022
The results in places like Burundi, Iraq, and Rwanda were often short-lived and ultimately led to bloodshed.
Avoiding the hard sell will require that liberal states and activists tone down their legalism, moralism, and universalism.
—Jack Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2022
Bad Italy is a land of bureaucracy, legalism, hierarchy, corruption, violence, and present-day economic doldrums, all abetted by irresponsible and self-dealing politicians.
—Bill Emmott, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2012
The court’s liberal bent was hardly guaranteed to last; the Warren Court marked a rare, if not unique, departure from the long-running contest for constitutional primacy between progressive politics and conservative legalism.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022
There’s a rough cycle to the fights between progressive politics and conservative legalism.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022
His public presentation of special counsel Robert Mueller's report — which detailed appalling wrongdoing on the president's part — was a master class in partisan spin, blurring the underlying misconduct amid a whirlwind of legalism and misdirection.
—Star Tribune, 17 Dec. 2020
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.
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2024
The point is not that Orban’s careful strategy of autocratic legalism and Mafia statecraft is based on unique dark political arts or that the regime is invincible.
—Jan-Werner Müller, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2022
At the same time, Orban has been careful not to move beyond autocratic legalism into the terrain of more openly coercive authoritarianism that might have prompted EU intervention.
—Jan-Werner Müller, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2022
The results in places like Burundi, Iraq, and Rwanda were often short-lived and ultimately led to bloodshed.
Avoiding the hard sell will require that liberal states and activists tone down their legalism, moralism, and universalism.
—Jack Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2022
Bad Italy is a land of bureaucracy, legalism, hierarchy, corruption, violence, and present-day economic doldrums, all abetted by irresponsible and self-dealing politicians.
—Bill Emmott, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2012
The court’s liberal bent was hardly guaranteed to last; the Warren Court marked a rare, if not unique, departure from the long-running contest for constitutional primacy between progressive politics and conservative legalism.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022
There’s a rough cycle to the fights between progressive politics and conservative legalism.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022
His public presentation of special counsel Robert Mueller's report — which detailed appalling wrongdoing on the president's part — was a master class in partisan spin, blurring the underlying misconduct amid a whirlwind of legalism and misdirection.
—Star Tribune, 17 Dec. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near legalism
Cite this Entry
“Legalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalism. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share