1
: the doctrines of a school of ancient extreme skeptics who suspended judgment on every proposition compare academicism
2
: total or radical skepticism

Word History

Etymology

French pyrrhonisme, from Pyrrhon Pyrrho, 4th century b.c. Greek. philosopher, from Greek Pyrrhōn

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Pyrrhonism was in 1693

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Cite this Entry

“Pyrrhonism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pyrrhonism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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