irrationalism

American  

[ih-rash-uh-nl-iz-uhm] / ɪˈræʃ ə nlˌɪz əm /

noun

1. irrationality in thought or action.

2. an attitude or belief having a nonrational basis.

3. a theory that nonrational forces govern the universe.

---

Other Word Forms

• irrationalist adjective
• irrationalistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of irrationalism

First recorded in 1805–15; irrational + -ism

Example Sentences

Irrationalism also depends on the cult of action for action's sake.

From Salon

We cannot eradicate irrationalism and the threat it poses to society and nature.

From Salon

As you may know, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting the imminent birth of their first child, in just the atmosphere of malevolent irrationalism and fevered conspiracy we have come expect in our new dark ages.

From The Guardian

Can the civilized world hold back the forces of irrationalism?—are very much in the air.

From The New Yorker

This vacuum is filled by strange concepts that hark back to the irrationalism of the 1930s.

From Washington Post