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ism

Noun CEFR C2
ˈɪz.əm

Definitions

  1. An ideology, system of thought, or practice that can be described by a word ending in -ism.
  2. Initialism of Institute for Supply Management.
  3. Initialism of Imperial Service Medal.
  4. A form of discrimination, such as racism or sexism.
  5. Abbreviation of interstellar medium.
    abbreviation, alt-of
  6. Initialism of industrial scientific medical.

Equivalents

Suomiismi
Kurdîîzm
Polskiizm
1 more languages
Tiếng Việtchủ nghĩa

Examples

“[…] his religion, his worship⟳ was like⟳ his daily bread to him; — which he did not take⟳ the trouble⟳ to talk⟳ much about; which he merely ate at stated intervals, and lived and did his work⟳ upon! This is Abbot Samson’s Catholicism of the Twelfth Century; — something like⟳ the Ism of all true men in all true centuries, I fancy! Alas, compared with any of the Isms current in these poor days, what a thing!”
“If it gives way to sentimentalism, or sensibility, or political mysticism, or adopts an affectation of radicalism, or any other ism, or molds its institutions so as to round out to a more complete⟳ fulfillment somebody's theory of the universe, it may fall⟳ into an era of revolution and political insecurity […]”
“An ism does not have⟳ to possess⟳ the fearful implements of state power to cut⟳ off a deviant or heretical member.”
“In his exposition, he has failed to achieve⟳ the identification of situation, theory, and policy necessary to create⟳ an ism.”
“Isms in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe⟳ in an ism – he should believe⟳ in himself.”
“It is important to distinguish between an ism and a mere generalization about group differences. Generalizations that have⟳ statistical validity are not isms. An ism assumes that the generalization applies to an individual.”
“Dwight Eisenhower, a president not particularly remembered for his wit, once remarked that "all isms are wasms." He was presumably referring, rather presciently, to the largely forgotten isms that were once perceived as a threat to truth, justice, and the American way: Marxism, socialism, communism.”
“Parents and educators play⟳ a critical role in helping children of all ages navigate⟳ current events and talk⟳ openly about the historical roots of the various ‘isms in our country.”
“The ISM report⟳ came as another worrying sign⟳ following last⟳ month's surprisingly low number⟳, which ended a 34-month growth streak.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

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