Sensational Suffixes: ISM

Th@1Guy (United States of America)
An itemization of words ending with the suffix or letter sequence 'ism'.

Other: antidisestablishmentarianism
207 words 25 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. absenteeism
    habitual failure to be present from work
  2. absolutism
    a form of government in which the ruler is unconstrained
  3. activism
    a policy of action to achieve a political or social goal
  4. agnosticism
    a religious orientation of doubt
  5. albinism
    the absence of pigmentation in the eyes, skin, and hair
  6. alcoholism
    habitual intoxication
  7. altruism
    the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
  8. anachronism
    locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed
  9. animism
    the doctrine that all natural objects have souls
  10. antagonism
    an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility
  11. anthropomorphism
    the representation of objects as having human form
  12. antinomianism
    the theological doctrine that by faith and God's grace a Christian is freed from all laws (including the moral standards of the culture)
  13. antisemitism
    the intense dislike for and prejudice against Jewish people
  14. aphorism
    a short pithy instructive saying
  15. Arminianism
    17th century theology (named after its founder Jacobus Arminius) that opposes the absolute predestinarianism of John Calvin and holds that human free will is compatible with God's sovereignty
  16. asceticism
    rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint
  17. astigmatism
    impaired eyesight common in nearsighted people
  18. atavism
    a reappearance of an earlier characteristic
  19. atheism
    the doctrine or belief that there is no God
  20. athleticism
    the quality of having physical strength, speed, and energy
  21. authoritarianism
    government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator
  22. autism
    a condition involving social and communication difficulties
  23. baptism
    a sacrament signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth
  24. behaviorism
    an approach to psychology that emphasizes observable measurable behavior
  25. botulism
    food poisoning from ingesting botulin
  26. bruxism
    involuntarily or unconsciously clenching or grinding the teeth, typically during sleep
  27. Buddhism
    the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth
  28. Calvinism
    the theological system of John Calvin and his followers emphasizing omnipotence of God and salvation by grace alone
  29. cannibalism
    the practice of eating the flesh of your own kind
  30. capitalism
    an economic system based on private ownership of assets
  31. catechism
    an elementary book summarizing the principles of a religion
  32. Catholicism
    the beliefs and practices of a Catholic Church
  33. chauvinism
    fanatical patriotism
  34. classicism
    a movement in literature and art during the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe that favored rationality and restraint and strict forms
  35. collectivism
    a theory that the people should own the means of production
  36. colloquialism
    an expression that seeks to imitate informal speech
  37. colonialism
    exploitation by a stronger country of a weaker one
  38. commensalism
    when one organism benefits from another without damaging it
  39. commercialism
    transactions having the objective of supplying commodities
  40. communism
    a theory favoring collectivism in a classless society
  41. Confucianism
    the teachings of Confucius emphasizing love for humanity
  42. conservatism
    belief in preserving tradition and opposing radical change
  43. constitutionalism
    advocacy of government according to founding principles
  44. consumerism
    the theory that increasing use of goods is beneficial
  45. creationism
    the literal belief in the account of Creation given in the Book of Genesis
  46. criticism
    a serious examination and judgment of something
  47. cubism
    an artistic movement featuring surfaces of geometric planes
  48. cynicism
    a pessimistic feeling of distrust
  49. Daoism
    philosophical system developed by Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu advocating a simple honest life and noninterference with the course of natural events
  50. Darwinism
    a theory of organic evolution claiming that new species arise and are perpetuated by natural selection
  51. defeatism
    acceptance of the inevitability of defeat
  52. deism
    the belief in God on the basis of reason alone
  53. despotism
    dominance through threat of punishment and violence
  54. determinism
    (philosophy) a philosophical theory holding that all events are inevitable consequences of antecedent sufficient causes; often understood as denying the possibility of free will
  55. dogmatism
    arrogant or stubborn insistence that one's views are correct
  56. druidism
    the system of religion and philosophy taught by the Druids and their rites and ceremonies
  57. dualism
    doctrine that reality consists of two opposing elements
  58. dysphemism
    an offensive or disparaging expression that is substituted for an inoffensive one
  59. eclecticism
    making decisions on the basis of what seems best instead of following some single doctrine or style
  60. egalitarianism
    the doctrine of the equality of mankind
  61. egocentrism
    concern only for your own interests and welfare
  62. egoism
    concern for your own interests and welfare
  63. egotism
    an exaggerated opinion of your own importance
  64. elitism
    attitude that a high-status group should govern society
  65. empiricism
    the doctrine that knowledge derives from experience
  66. environmentalism
    the philosophical doctrine that environment is more important than heredity in determining intellectual growth
  67. ethnocentrism
    belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group
  68. euphemism
    an inoffensive expression substituted for an offensive one
  69. evangelism
    zealous preaching and advocacy of the gospel
  70. evolutionism
    (biology) a scientific theory of the origin of species of plants and animals
  71. existentialism
    a philosophy that assumes that people are entirely free
  72. exorcism
    freeing from evil spirits
  73. expansionism
    the doctrine of extending the territory of a country
  74. expressionism
    an art movement focused on representing inner emotions
  75. fanaticism
    excessive intolerance of opposing views
  76. fatalism
    a doctrine that all events are predetermined in advance
  77. favoritism
    an inclination to privilege some person or group
  78. federalism
    government divided between central and regional powers
  79. feminism
    a doctrine that advocates equal rights for women
  80. feudalism
    the social system in which vassals were protected by lords
  81. funambulism
    walking on a tightrope or slack rope
  82. fundamentalism
    the interpretation of sacred texts as literal truth
  83. futurism
    the position that the meaning of life should be sought in the future
  84. Gnosticism
    a religious orientation advocating gnosis as the way to release a person's spiritual element; considered heresy by Christian churches
  85. heathenism
    any of various religions other than Christianity or Judaism or Islamism
  86. hedonism
    an ethical system that values the pursuit of pleasure
  87. heroism
    exceptional courage when facing danger
  88. Hinduism
    a body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and based on a caste system; it is characterized by a belief in reincarnation, by a belief in a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils
  89. holism
    understanding the parts in relation to the whole
  90. humanism
    doctrine promoting the welfare of mankind
  91. humanitarianism
    the doctrine that people's duty is to promote human welfare
  92. hypnotism
    the act of inducing a state that resembles sleep
  93. hypocorism
    a name of endearment
  94. idealism
    belief that the best possible concepts should be pursued
  95. imperialism
    a policy of extending your rule over foreign countries
  96. Impressionism
    a school of late 19th century French painters who pictured appearances by strokes of unmixed colors to give the impression of reflected light
  97. individualism
    the quality of being a single thing or person
  98. internationalism
    quality of being global in scope
  99. ism
    a belief accepted as authoritative by some group or school
  100. isolationism
    a policy of nonparticipation in international relations
  101. Jainism
    religion founded in the 6th century BC as a revolt against Hinduism; emphasizes asceticism and immortality and transmigration of the soul; denies existence of a perfect or supreme being
  102. jingoism
    fanatical patriotism
  103. journalism
    the profession of reporting or editing news stories
  104. Judaism
    the monotheistic religion of the Jews having its spiritual and ethical principles embodied chiefly in the Torah and in the Talmud
  105. legalism
    strict conformity to the law rather than its spirit
  106. liberalism
    a political orientation favoring social progress by reform
  107. libertarianism
    an ideological belief in freedom of thought and speech
  108. magnetism
    attraction for iron
  109. malapropism
    misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
  110. mannerism
    a behavioral attribute that is distinctive to an individual
  111. Marxism
    theory that capitalism will be superseded by communism
  112. masochism
    sexual pleasure obtained from receiving punishment
  113. materialism
    a desire for wealth and possessions
  114. maternalism
    the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother
  115. mechanism
    device consisting of a piece of machinery
  116. mercantilism
    a system of increasing wealth through colonization and trade
  117. metabolism
    the organic processes that are necessary for life
  118. militarism
    maintaining a strong force of armed services
  119. minimalism
    an art movement in sculpture and painting that began in the 1950s and emphasized extreme simplification of form and color
  120. misogynism
    hatred of women
  121. misoneism
    hatred of change or innovation
  122. modernism
    practices typical of contemporary life or thought
  123. monasticism
    asceticism as a form of religious life
  124. monism
    the doctrine that reality consists of a single basic substance or element
  125. monotheism
    belief in a single God
  126. moralism
    a moral maxim
  127. mutualism
    the relation between two organisms that benefit each other
  128. mysticism
    a religion based on communion with an ultimate reality
  129. narcissism
    an exceptional interest in and admiration for yourself
  130. nationalism
    the doctrine that your country's interests are superior
  131. nativism
    a policy of favoring established inhabitants, not immigrants
  132. naturalism
    an artistic movement emphasizing realistic description
  133. neocolonialism
    control by a powerful country of less developed countries
  134. neologism
    a newly invented word or phrase
  135. nepotism
    favoritism shown to relatives or friends by those in power
  136. nihilism
    complete denial of established authority and institutions
  137. noctambulism
    walking by a person who is asleep
  138. nudism
    going without clothes as a social practice
  139. oculism
    the craft of an oculist
  140. opportunism
    taking advantage of favorable circumstances selfishly
  141. optimism
    the hopeful feeling that all is going to turn out well
  142. organism
    a living thing that can act or function independently
  143. ostracism
    the act of excluding someone from society by general consent
  144. pacifism
    the doctrine that all violence is unjustifiable
  145. paganism
    a religion outside of mainstream monotheism
  146. pantheism
    the belief that God exists in and is the same as all things
  147. parallelism
    similarity by virtue of corresponding
  148. parasitism
    when one organism benefits from another by causing damage
  149. paternalism
    attitude that people should be controlled in a fatherly way
  150. patriotism
    love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it
  151. pessimism
    a general disposition to expect the worst in all things
  152. phototropism
    an organism's orienting response to light
  153. plagiarism
    taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own
  154. pluralism
    a social organization in which diversity is tolerated
  155. polytheism
    belief in multiple gods
  156. populism
    political doctrine that supports the rights of common people
  157. pragmatism
    the doctrine that practical consequences determine value
  158. prism
    a polyhedron with two congruent and parallel faces
  159. probabilism
    (philosophy) the doctrine that (since certainty is unattainable) probability is a sufficient basis for belief and action
  160. professionalism
    the expertness characteristic of a business person
  161. progressivism
    the political orientation of those who favor progress toward better conditions in government and society
  162. proselytism
    the practice of proselytizing
  163. protagonism
    active support of an idea or cause etc.
  164. racism
    the prejudice that one people are superior to another
  165. radicalism
    political orientation of those favoring revolutionary change
  166. rationalism
    the doctrine that reason is the basis for regulating conduct
  167. realism
    the attribute of accepting the facts of life
  168. recidivism
    habitual relapse into crime
  169. relativism
    the doctrine that judgment is based on situational context
  170. rheumatism
    any painful disorder of the joints or muscles
  171. romanticism
    impractical ideals and attitudes
  172. sadism
    pleasure obtained by inflicting harm on others
  173. sciolism
    pretentious superficiality of knowledge
  174. sectionalism
    excessive devotion to the interests of a particular region
  175. secularism
    a doctrine that rejects religious considerations
  176. sensationalism
    the journalistic use of shocking subject matter
  177. separatism
    a belief that one group should live apart from a larger group
  178. sexism
    discriminatory behavior towards the opposite gender
  179. skepticism
    doubt about the truth of something
  180. socialism
    a political theory advocating state ownership of industry
  181. solecism
    a socially awkward or tactless act
  182. solipsism
    the philosophical theory that the self is all that exists
  183. somnambulism
    walking by a person who is asleep
  184. somniloquism
    uttering speech while asleep
  185. spiritualism
    the belief that the spirits of dead people can communicate with people who are still alive (especially via a medium)
  186. spoonerism
    transposition of initial consonants in a pair of words
  187. stoicism
    an indifference to pleasure or pain
  188. surrealism
    an artistic movement using fantastic and incongruous images
  189. syllogism
    reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
  190. symbolism
    the practice of investing things with arbitrary meaning
  191. syncretism
    the union of different systems of thought or belief
  192. synergism
    the working together of two or more things to produce an effect
  193. Taoism
    philosophical system developed by Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu advocating a simple honest life and noninterference with the course of natural events
  194. teetotalism
    abstaining from alcohol
  195. terrorism
    the use of violence against civilians for ideological goals
  196. theism
    the doctrine or belief in the existence of a God or gods
  197. totalitarianism
    a form of government in which the ruler is unconstrained
  198. tourism
    the business of providing services to travelers for pleasure
  199. traditionalism
    strict adherence to traditional methods or teachings
  200. transcendentalism
    a philosophy emphasizing the intuitive and spiritual
  201. tropism
    an involuntary orienting response
  202. unilateralism
    a doctrine that nations should conduct affairs individually
  203. utilitarianism
    the doctrine that the useful is the good
  204. vandalism
    willful and malicious destruction of the property of others
  205. ventriloquism
    projecting the voice so it seems to come from another source
  206. witticism
    a message whose ingenuity has the power to evoke laughter
  207. yellow journalism
    sensationalist reporting or headlines
Created on Wed Mar 27 02:16:30 EDT 2013 (updated Mon Sep 23 23:48:11 EDT 2013)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.