as in greed
disapproving
the practice or attitude of placing an excessive emphasis on earning money, making a profit, or buying goods
the increasing commercialism of the Christmas holiday She decried the commercialism of modern society where objects of purely artistic value were often ignored.
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Recent Examples of commercialism
In this way, Bert and his wife Hiroko’s entire home, traditional Japanese farmhouse and the unique art that fills basements and attics exists in defiance of commercialism.
—
Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
American malls were once the mecca of commercialism.
—Neil Strebig, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 25 Feb. 2026
These firms now pay their rainmakers like Wall Street stars and have dropped their courtly scruples for relentless commercialism.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Ironically, the film was about the dangers of commercialism, and the director reportedly added a long bedroom scene near the beginning displaying the actress’ nude backside to appease producers’ demands for more flesh.
—Lee Smith, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commercialism
Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
American malls were once the mecca of commercialism.
—Neil Strebig, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 25 Feb. 2026
These firms now pay their rainmakers like Wall Street stars and have dropped their courtly scruples for relentless commercialism.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Ironically, the film was about the dangers of commercialism, and the director reportedly added a long bedroom scene near the beginning displaying the actress’ nude backside to appease producers’ demands for more flesh.
—Lee Smith, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commercialism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commercialism
Noun
-
There’s too much greed in the world, man.—
Maria Bamford,
Vulture,
22 May 2026
-
Huxley might easily have written a simpler novel glorifying intellectuals while mocking Stoyte’s greed and indifference to suffering.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
This is a guy who could write these incredibly bigoted figures, and then also write this really searing indictment of American materialism.—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2026
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The book is a Christian parable, pitting faith against 20th-century materialism.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a constant intertwining of protectiveness and possessiveness with Ruben in terms of his relationship to Niall.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
-
One minute, Ruben can be protecting Niall and have a sort of protective quality which is sort of beautiful, but then in the same sentence, can move into a toxic possessiveness.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commercialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commercialism. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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