hedonism
noun
Donald Armstrong
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The Modern Definition of Hedonism
When hedonism first appeared in English in the middle of the 19th century, it referred to the doctrines of certain schools of philosophy in ancient Greece (such as the Epicureans and Cyrenaics), who held that happiness or pleasure constituted the chief goal in life. As used today, the word frequently carries a judgmental tinge. If someone is described as living a life of hedonism, the implication is that he or she derives happiness from debauchery rather than, say, spending quality time with family or forming meaningful relationships at work. Hedonism comes from the Greek hēdonē (“pleasure”), which also provides the root of the word anhedonia (“a psychological condition characterized by inability to experience pleasure in normally pleasurable acts”).
Examples of hedonism in a Sentence
Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 20 July 2024
My headlong descent had much more to do with a willful and heedless pursuit of hedonism.
—Rachel Desantis, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025
Sad Girl not only celebrates hedonism but also explores mental health and a range of emotions, emphasizing the acceptance of sadness and the coexistence of highs and lows.
—Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
The festival had a Christian tie-in, as a burst of hedonism before the austerity of Lent.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hedonism
Cite this Entry
“Hedonism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hedonism. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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hedonism
noun
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