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
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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
As its three Oscar nominations attest, The Wild Robot subtracts spiritual fundamentalism in service of Pixarism.
—Armond White, National Review, 26 Feb. 2025
Cottee examines how Western secularism challenges Islamic thought in ways that lead some to abandon their faith—an outcome that is much more common than resorting to fundamentalism.
—Darren E. Sherkat, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2015
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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
As its three Oscar nominations attest, The Wild Robot subtracts spiritual fundamentalism in service of Pixarism.
—Armond White, National Review, 26 Feb. 2025
Cottee examines how Western secularism challenges Islamic thought in ways that lead some to abandon their faith—an outcome that is much more common than resorting to fundamentalism.
—Darren E. Sherkat, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2015
See All Example Sentences for fundamentalism
Cite this Entry
“Fundamentalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fundamentalism. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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