binarism
noun
bi·na·rism
ˈbī-nə-ˌriz-əm 
: a mode of thought predicated on seemingly stable oppositions (such as good and evil or male and female) that is seen in post-structuralist analysis as an inadequate approach to areas of difference
also
: a specific dichotomy subscribed to or reinforced in such thought
the binarism of West and East
Examples of binarism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The School of the Art Institute (230 S. Columbus) hosts a discussion with Vaid-Menon about their eclectic style, political comedy, and gender binarism.
—
Rachel Yang, Chicago Reader, 12 Mar. 2018
In short, gender is ever-present in language, leading to a very high awareness of gender binarism.
—Madhvi Ramani, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2018
But that analysis ignores the wild cards of Opress and Asajj Ventress, who also partake in that throwdown and complicate the good-bad binarism for The Clone Wars’ possibly final fifth season, arriving this fall.
—Scott Thill, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2012
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Rachel Yang, Chicago Reader, 12 Mar. 2018
In short, gender is ever-present in language, leading to a very high awareness of gender binarism.
—Madhvi Ramani, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2018
But that analysis ignores the wild cards of Opress and Asajj Ventress, who also partake in that throwdown and complicate the good-bad binarism for The Clone Wars’ possibly final fifth season, arriving this fall.
—Scott Thill, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2012
Cite this Entry
“Binarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/binarism. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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