careerism

1 of 2

noun (1)

ca·​reer·​ism kə-ˈrir-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce careerism (audio)
: the policy or practice of advancing one's career often at the cost of one's integrity
careerist
kə-ˈrir-ist How to pronounce careerism (audio)
noun or adjective

careerist

2 of 2

noun (2)

ca·​reer·​ist kə-ˈrir-ist How to pronounce careerist (audio)
plural -s
: one that engages in careerism

Examples of careerism in a Sentence

Noun (1) She was appalled by his careerism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Put voters and their interests ahead of ego, careerism and personal ambition. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 And part of that individualism is careerism. — Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 But at least Chalamet doesn’t try to soft pedal Dylan’s surliness and careerism, and his vocal re-creations are mostly spot on. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025 There’s something about standing in the middle of a storm, where a lot of people are projecting all kinds of things onto you, that removes a lot of the superficial residue of careerism. — airmail.news, 23 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for careerism

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of careerism was in 1933

Browse Nearby Words

careeringly
careerism
careerist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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