personalism

noun

per·​son·​al·​ism ˈpərs-nə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce personalism (audio)
ˈpər-sə-nə-
: a doctrine emphasizing the significance, uniqueness, and inviolability of personality
personalist
ˈpərs-nə-list How to pronounce personalism (audio)
ˈpər-sə-nə-
noun or adjective
personalistic
ˌpərs-nə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce personalism (audio)
ˌpər-sə-nə-
adjective

Examples of personalism in a Sentence

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.
Third, personalism of security forces weakens the power of other groups that might otherwise constrain the leader, such as elites in the ruling political party and even generals who oppose a leader’s power grab. — Joe Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025 Unpredictability In personalism thinking, the act of creation revolves around the exercise of freedom beyond necessity. — Iese Business School, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 In an age of personalism, individual leaders’ idiosyncrasies, dispositions, and emotions matter more than ever, yielding large policy swings when leaders change office. — Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of personalism was circa 1846

Rhymes for personalism

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Browse Nearby Words

personalise
personalism
personalist
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on personalism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about personalism

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