ism
1 of 2noun
ˈi-zəm 
1
: a distinctive doctrine, cause, or theory
2
: an oppressive and especially discriminatory attitude or belief
we all have got to come to grips with our isms
Joycelyn Elders
Joycelyn Elders-ism
2 of 2noun suffix
1
a
: act : practice : process
criticism
plagiarism
b
: manner of action or behavior characteristic of a (specified) person or thing
animalism
c
: prejudice or discrimination on the basis of a (specified) attribute
racism
sexism
2
a
: state : condition : property
barbarianism
b
: abnormal state or condition resulting from excess of a (specified) thing
alcoholism
or marked by resemblance to (such) a person or thing giantism
3
a
: doctrine : theory : religion
Buddhism
b
: adherence to a system or a class of principles
stoicism
4
: characteristic or peculiar feature or trait
colloquialism
Example Sentences
Noun Cubism, Impressionism, and other artistic isms. ageism, racism, sexism, and all the other familiar isms
Recent Examples on the Web Pete Rizzo, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Many American parents, steeped in a culture of safety-ism, view the military as too dangerous for their kids and have discouraged a stint in the armed forces, let alone a career, while pushing for college-at-all-costs. The Editors, National Review, 24 Aug. 2022 Not-in-my-backyard-ism, or NIMBYism, has become a key barrier to building more affordable housing units and density in some areas. AZCentral.com, 16 Aug. 2022 Best-of lists are generally a pile of fried baloney seasoned with a sprinkle of know-it-all-ism. BostonGlobe.com, 22 July 2022 The kind that would normally get a person in trouble with HR, especially during this age of woke-ism and cancel culture. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2022 Hamid’s commitment to a liberal literary ethos veers close to a vague both-sides-ism. Namwali Serpell, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2022 First, there’s Nimby-ism: Even in weed-friendly California, nearly two-thirds of municipalities have refused to allow legal dispensaries within their borders. Will Yakowicz, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Roadblocks to building include not-in-my-backyard-ism and political backlash. AZCentral.com, 24 May 2022 See More
Noun
Still, should there be a gap between the ism and the ists, this piece will seek to correct it, offering a view on the principles that underlie Bitcoin Maximalism, one shaped by my years of studying crypto isms (initially from a lens of skepticism). Pete Rizzo, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Many American parents, steeped in a culture of safety-ism, view the military as too dangerous for their kids and have discouraged a stint in the armed forces, let alone a career, while pushing for college-at-all-costs. The Editors, National Review, 24 Aug. 2022 Not-in-my-backyard-ism, or NIMBYism, has become a key barrier to building more affordable housing units and density in some areas. AZCentral.com, 16 Aug. 2022 Best-of lists are generally a pile of fried baloney seasoned with a sprinkle of know-it-all-ism. BostonGlobe.com, 22 July 2022 The kind that would normally get a person in trouble with HR, especially during this age of woke-ism and cancel culture. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2022 Hamid’s commitment to a liberal literary ethos veers close to a vague both-sides-ism. Namwali Serpell, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2022 First, there’s Nimby-ism: Even in weed-friendly California, nearly two-thirds of municipalities have refused to allow legal dispensaries within their borders. Will Yakowicz, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Roadblocks to building include not-in-my-backyard-ism and political backlash. AZCentral.com, 24 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
-ism
Noun suffix
Middle English -isme, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, partly from Latin -isma (from Greek) & partly from Latin -ismus, from Greek -ismos; Greek -isma & -ismos, from verbs in -izein -ize
First Known Use
Noun
1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
-ism
noun suffix
ˌi-zəm
1
: act : practice : process
baptism
criticism
2
: manner of action or behavior like that of a specified person or thing
heroism
3
: state : condition
alcoholism
4
: teachings : theory : system
socialism