verbalism

American  

[vur-buh-liz-uhm] / ˈvɜr bəˌlɪz əm /

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.

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verbalism British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of verbalism

First recorded in 1780–90; verbal + -ism

Example Sentences

Through the echoes of the new verbalism, one can sense the distress of that crystal spirit, George Orwell.

From Time Magazine Archive

But if he forgets that he has substituted and simplified, he soon lapses into verbalism, and begins to talk about names regardless of objects.

From Public Opinion by Lippmann, Walter

As regards grammatical forms, Vico may be described as an adherent of the great reaction of the Renaissance against scholastic verbalism and formalism.

From Aesthetic as Science of Expression and General Linguistic by Croce, Benedetto

While this operatic verbalism with its faults and merits cannot of course be assigned wholly to Peele, he seems to have been in the drama one of its earliest and most influential purveyors.

From Tragedy by Thorndike, Ashley H.

Aristotelian logic itself did not become mere syllogistic and verbalism, without some stumbling and oscillation.

From Aesthetic as Science of Expression and General Linguistic by Croce, Benedetto