Islamism

noun

Is·​lam·​ism is-ˈlä-ˌmi-zəm How to pronounce Islamism (audio)
iz-,
-ˈla-;
ˈiz-lə-
1
: the faith, doctrine, or cause of Islam
2
: a popular reform movement advocating the reordering of government and society in accordance with laws prescribed by Islam
Islamist
is-ˈlä-mist How to pronounce Islamism (audio)
iz-
-ˈla-;
ˈiz-lə-
noun

Examples of Islamism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now, foreign countries are trying to steer Syria’s new de facto leaders toward an inclusive government free of sectarian reprisals and away from extreme forms of Islamism. — Nafees Hamid, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2025 Sisi's Egypt was also seen as a bulwark against Islamism, as the Egyptian leader had ousted and imprisoned the Muslim Brotherhood. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Islamism was in 1747

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Islamism
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Cite this Entry

“Islamism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Islamism. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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