ism
6 synonyms for ism, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A distinctive belief system, doctrine or movement, especially one treated as rigid or fashionable; usually used dismissively and often in the plural.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
-ology
How to use ism
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
all the isms
isms and schisms
every -ism you can name
The standalone noun is informal and often sceptical; the suffix is entirely neutral.
Etymology
A noun formed from the suffix -ism, which reached English through Latin from Greek -ismos, used to form nouns of action, condition or doctrine.
Full origin of ism →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between -ism and -ist?
An -ism is the belief, system or practice itself, while an -ist is a person who holds it or does it. Buddhism is the religion; a Buddhist is a follower. The same pair runs through capitalism and capitalist, art and artist.
Is ism a real word on its own?
Yes. It has been used as a standalone noun for well over two centuries, normally with a sceptical tone, as in 'he distrusts all isms'. It is informal but perfectly standard.
Does -ism always mean a belief?
No. It also forms words for conditions such as alcoholism and botulism, for practices such as journalism, and for characteristic bits of language such as a colloquialism or a Freudian slip described as a Freudianism.
