commercialism

[ kuh-mur-shuh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. the principles, practices, and spirit of commerce.
2. a commercial attitude in noncommercial affairs; inappropriate or excessive emphasis on profit, success, or immediate results.
3. a commercial custom or expression.

commercialism

/ kəˈmɜːʃəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the spirit, principles, or procedure of commerce
2. exclusive or inappropriate emphasis on profit

Derived Forms

• comˈmercialist, noun
• comˌmerciaˈlistic, adjective

Other Words From

• com·mercial·ist noun
• com·mercial·istic adjective
• anti·com·mercial·ism noun
• anti·com·mercial·ist noun adjective
• anti·com·mercial·istic adjective
• super·com·mercial·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of commercialism¹

commercial + -ism

Example Sentences

They despised its commercialism and dreaded the prospect of future films about Mattel properties such as Barney and American Girl dolls.

From Seattle Times

Bob Dylan composed a hand-written note praising John and Yoko an enemies of “this mild dull taste of commercialism” forced on the culture by the “overpowering mass media.”

From Seattle Times

His work continued to defy precepts of commercialism, language and politics.

From New York Times

Viewers get a street-level view of the rise of the San Francisco dream — artistic freedom, community and authenticity — and its fall, thanks to hard drugs, commercialism and increasingly hard edges.

From Seattle Times

Some of the quaintness of the ride has been lost, of course, as commercialism took root along the route.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• commerce
• deal
• dealings
• exchange
• industry
• manufacturing
• market
• sales
• selling
• trade
• traffic
• transaction