Meaning & use
individualism
A social outlook that emphasizes personal freedom, self-reliance, and independence over group conformity.
See it in a sentence
American culture is often described as valuing individualism over collective decision-making.
The novel critiques rugged individualism as a myth that ignores people's dependence on community.
A note on using this word
Often contrasted with collectivism in discussions of culture, politics, or economics.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
collectivism
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