verbalism

[ vur-buh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. a verbal expression, as a word or phrase.
2. the way in which something is worded; choice of words; phrasing.
3. a phrase or sentence having little or no meaning.
4. a use of words considered as predominating over or obscuring ideas or reality; verbiage.

verbalism

/ ˈvɜːbəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a verbal expression; phrase or word
2. an exaggerated emphasis on the importance of words by the uncritical acceptance of assertions in place of explanations, the use of rhetorical style, etc
3. a statement lacking real content, esp a cliché

Word History and Origins

Origin of verbalism¹

First recorded in 1780–90; verbal + -ism

Example Sentences

The excess of verbalism, indeed, gives the play a sugary and monotonous effect, and its poetry loses connection with character or situation.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a certain affinity, apparently at least, between that formal vice of verbalism and another defect of the mind, whose origins may, however, be varied.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the catchwords of the day was to insist on a knowledge of things instead of a knowledge of words, on “realism” instead of “verbalism.”

From Project Gutenberg

This use of words would again become mere verbalism, a mere talking about words—mere speculation having nothing to do with facts or with correct thinking, in which there is no intermixing of dimensions.

From Project Gutenberg

We may surround the subject with a vague and attractive idealistic verbalism, but we come back to this as a starting point.

From Project Gutenberg