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
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Throughout the years, different editions of Dungeons & Dragons have reconsidered some of these components of essentialism.
—Steven Dashiell, Scientific American, 31 July 2024
This ultimately works to reinforce the norm through gender essentialism that upholds a social hierarchy that brands effeminate or ambiguous men as second class citizens.
—Josh Greenblatt, WIRED, 17 July 2024
Mussolini’s Motherhood Factories In fascist Italy, childbirth, breastfeeding and motherhood were given a hybrid structure of industrial management and eugenicist biological essentialism.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for essentialism 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
James Factora, Them, 11 Oct. 2024
Throughout the years, different editions of Dungeons & Dragons have reconsidered some of these components of essentialism.
—Steven Dashiell, Scientific American, 31 July 2024
This ultimately works to reinforce the norm through gender essentialism that upholds a social hierarchy that brands effeminate or ambiguous men as second class citizens.
—Josh Greenblatt, WIRED, 17 July 2024
Mussolini’s Motherhood Factories In fascist Italy, childbirth, breastfeeding and motherhood were given a hybrid structure of industrial management and eugenicist biological essentialism.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 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 16 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share