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View synonyms for individualism

individualism

[ in-duh-vij-oo-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

  1. a social theory advocating the liberty, rights, or independent action of the individual.
  2. the principle or habit of or belief in independent thought or action.
  3. the pursuit of individual rather than common or collective interests; egoism.
  4. individual character; individuality.
  5. an individual peculiarity.
  6. Philosophy.
    1. the doctrine that only individual things are real.
    2. the doctrine or belief that all actions are determined by, or at least take place for, the benefit of the individual, not of society as a whole.


individualism

/ ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəˌlɪzəm /

noun

  1. the action or principle of asserting one's independence and individuality; egoism
  2. an individual quirk or peculiarity
  3. another word for laissez faire
  4. philosophy the doctrine that only individual things exist and that therefore classes or properties have no reality Compare Platonism realism


individualism

  1. A view that stresses the importance and worth of each person. In economics , it is the doctrine that individuals best serve the public interest by pursuing their own self-interest. For example, the businessman who expands his company to increase his profits also creates jobs for many people and thereby serves the public interest. ( See laissez-faire .)


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Other Words From

  • over·indi·vidu·al·ism noun
  • super·indi·vidu·al·ism noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of individualism1

First recorded in 1825–35; individual + -ism

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Example Sentences

To exchange a bit of our rugged individualism for curiosity about people who look different from us.

From Time

The personal cost was too high to stay home or sacrifice rugged individualism for an anonymizing face covering.

America was founded on certain myths and beliefs relating to freedom, individualism and righteous rebellion.

The eponymous leader of the Arkestra was a self-proclaimed celestial being who was one of the most visionary jazz musicians of the 20th century, championing individualism and expression over precision and perfection.

In countries where collectivism is more highly valued than individualism – in places as diverse as Italy, Japan and Mexico – parents mostly prefer to have their emerging adults stay home until marriage.

But what both men had in common was a streak of rugged individualism, stubbornness, and personal vision.

By sticking to the variation you hold by, there is individualism.

Ross Douthat offers a clue when he calls ours the “Age of Individualism.”

The Cossacks stood for freedom and individualism, and central Russia would do anything to keep them from spreading their ideals.

Historically, the Cossack way of living was one of disorder and adaption, of individualism and egalitarianism.

Undoubtedly his existence is a product of the system, a pathological product, a kind of elephantiasis of individualism.

The narrow individualism of the nineteenth century refused to recognize the social duty of supporting somebody else's grandmother.

Was there ever to be in human life more than that endless struggling individualism?

Under the new conditions Individualism will be far freer, far finer, and far more intensified than it is now.

The question is whether it would be for the good of Individualism p. 16that such an advantage should be taken away.

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individualindividualist