fundamentalism
noun
fun·da·men·tal·ism
ˌfən-də-ˈmen-tə-ˌli-zəm 
1
a
often capitalized
: a movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching
b
: the beliefs of this movement
c
: adherence to such beliefs
a minister noted for his strict fundamentalism
2
: a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles
Islamic fundamentalism
political fundamentalism
Examples of fundamentalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Let curiosity — not fundamentalism — be your guide to a brighter future.
—
Colin Bedell, Them., 25 Apr. 2025
The Hill: Inside a conservative ecosystem built on free-market fundamentalism and a reflexive aversion to tax increases, some who embrace Trump have found themselves in a delicate position during the early months of a roller coaster administration.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
Compared with the fundamentalism of al-Qaida or Hamas, the doctrines of the Bolsheviks, the nationalism of the Nazis or the sun god worship of the Aztecs, Christianity does indeed seem not too bad.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Margaret Atwood’s dystopian allegorical novel didn’t over-explain the U.S.’ descent into fascist theocracy and thus left itself open to interpretation — so open that even American conservatives were able to claim it as a warning about Muslim fundamentalism.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
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Colin Bedell, Them., 25 Apr. 2025
The Hill: Inside a conservative ecosystem built on free-market fundamentalism and a reflexive aversion to tax increases, some who embrace Trump have found themselves in a delicate position during the early months of a roller coaster administration.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
Compared with the fundamentalism of al-Qaida or Hamas, the doctrines of the Bolsheviks, the nationalism of the Nazis or the sun god worship of the Aztecs, Christianity does indeed seem not too bad.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Margaret Atwood’s dystopian allegorical novel didn’t over-explain the U.S.’ descent into fascist theocracy and thus left itself open to interpretation — so open that even American conservatives were able to claim it as a warning about Muslim fundamentalism.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fundamentalism
Cite this Entry
“Fundamentalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fundamentalism. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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