institutionalism
noun
in·sti·tu·tion·al·ism
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: emphasis on organization (as in religion) at the expense of other factors
2
: public institutional care of disabled, delinquent, or dependent persons
3
: an economic school of thought that emphasizes the role of social institutions in influencing economic behavior
Examples of institutionalism in a Sentence
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Just in case there was ever any doubt, though, the new season of The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy doubles down on the Apple TV+ identity as a destination for comfortable institutionalism with an entire episode devoted to an interview with Prince William.
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Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
At that time, there was still a sense of congressional institutionalism, as shown by the bipartisan action in the House Judiciary Committee to approve impeachment articles against President Nixon.
—Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025
Trump’s contempt for institutionalism is the mirror image of how the Biden administration, and liberal internationalists more broadly, have justified their own foreign policy preferences, including U.S. commitments to NATO and support for Ukraine.
—Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Was this the term that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. gave up on his cherished project of institutionalism and instead adopted an if-you-can’t-beat-them-join-them posture with his fellow conservatives?
—Ruth Marcus, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
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Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
At that time, there was still a sense of congressional institutionalism, as shown by the bipartisan action in the House Judiciary Committee to approve impeachment articles against President Nixon.
—Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025
Trump’s contempt for institutionalism is the mirror image of how the Biden administration, and liberal internationalists more broadly, have justified their own foreign policy preferences, including U.S. commitments to NATO and support for Ukraine.
—Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Was this the term that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. gave up on his cherished project of institutionalism and instead adopted an if-you-can’t-beat-them-join-them posture with his fellow conservatives?
—Ruth Marcus, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for institutionalism
Cite this Entry
“Institutionalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institutionalism. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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