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Thatcherism

American  
[thach-uh-riz-uhm] / ˈθætʃ əˌrɪz əm /

noun

  1. the conservative policies, political philosophy, and leadership style of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, characterized especially by monetarism, privatization, and labor union reform.


Thatcherism British  
/ ˈθætʃəˌraɪt, ˈθætʃəˌrɪzəm /

noun

  1. the policies of monetarism, privatization, and self-help promoted by Margaret Thatcher

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • Thatcherite noun

Etymology

Origin of Thatcherism

Thatcher + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Margaret Thatcher's biographer Lord Charles Moore said he was the "first important personal example of Thatcherism in action because he was the self-made man from the working class and he was unapologetic about that".

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2025

The Italian leader has played on this, saying one of her main inspirations is the English philosopher Roger Scruton, who provided intellectual vigour to Thatcherism in Britain.

From Reuters • Aug. 29, 2022

The first, set in 1980s and revolving around a fabled bonding weekend a group of Scottish youths spend cavorting in Manchester, features agile wisecracks about football, music, and Thatcherism mildly reminiscent of Nick Hornby’s novels.

From Slate • Aug. 14, 2021

The entire country seemed to be passionately insane about Thatcher and Thatcherism.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 25, 2019

I love this interview with Glenda Jackson, who is currently playing King Lear on Broadway; it touches on everything from sexism to Thatcherism to how gender boundaries blur with age .

From The Guardian • Apr. 27, 2019