individualistic

[ in-duh-vij-oo-uh-lis-tik ]

adjective

1. prioritizing the pursuit of individual interests or rights rather than common or collective ones:

   In our culture we seem to be moving toward a predominantly individualistic mindset, where egoism is in and altruism is out.

2. showing great independence or individuality in thought or action:

   Never has the nation produced a more brilliantly argumentative, individualistic, or opinionated group of politicians than our founders.

3. Philosophy. of or relating to a belief that all actions are determined by, or for the benefit of, the individual, not society as a whole:

   The attempt to construct a new social order on the basis of individualistic doctrine was bound to fail, because the shared customs and practices that make up the common life of society are too valuable.

Other Words From

• in·di·vid·u·al·is·ti·cal·ly adverb
• non·in·di·vid·u·al·is·tic adjective
• o·ver·in·di·vid·u·al·is·tic adjective
• o·ver·in·di·vid·u·al·is·ti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of individualistic¹

individualist ( def ) + -ic

Example Sentences

“Unlike cars, motorcycles are very individualistic,” Yu says.

From Popular-Science

That individualistic nature is “kinda the joy of it,” she says.

From Popular-Science

Laviolette writes that as Western culture became increasingly individualistic in recent decades, both drivers and travelers have grown warier of sharing rides.

From Washington Post

Plus, the argument that we should deal with the dangers of social media on our own can come across as cruelly individualistic tech-apologia.

From Nautilus

The argument that we have the power to deal with the dangers of social media entirely on our own terms can come across as cruelly individualistic tech-apologia.

From Nautilus

In an individualistic culture like our own, this potential loss of self seems like the worst possible outcome.

From The Daily Beast

Men in the 1990s were typically 10-15 points more individualistic.

From The Daily Beast

If the farmer wishes to continue all his life in his old style individualistic method of working the land, he is free to do so.

From Project Gutenberg

The great essential of philosophic anarchy is individualistic freedom.

From Project Gutenberg

This individualistic tendency also gradually makes itself felt in the raising of domestic animals.

From Project Gutenberg

But the socialistic tendencies are not, in general, as strong as are the individualistic ones.

From Project Gutenberg

Those instincts most closely related to individual survival are called individualistic instincts.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• self-absorbed
• selfish