Letters and spelling

Words ending in ism: vocabulary word list

This list gathers words ending in ism, a suffix often used to name a belief system, practice, or condition. It's useful for spelling practice, vocabulary building, and noticing how English forms abstract nouns from other words.

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Words ending in ism: vocabulary word list

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
optimismnoun	A tendency to expect favorable outcomes and to see the positive side of situations.	Despite the setbacks, her optimism kept the whole team motivated through the project's final weeks.
pessimismnoun	A tendency to expect the worst outcome or to focus on negative possibilities.	His pessimism made him assume the project would fail before it even started.
realismnoun	The attitude or practice of accepting and dealing with situations as they actually are, without illusion.	Her realism about the company's finances helped the team plan for a difficult year ahead.
idealismnoun	The pursuit of high or noble ideals, often without full regard for what is practical or achievable.	Her idealism led her to volunteer abroad instead of pursuing a higher-paying job.
capitalismnoun	An economic system based on private ownership and the pursuit of profit through free markets.	Under capitalism, businesses compete to offer better products at lower prices.
socialismnoun	An economic and political system in which the community or government owns and controls major means of production.	Under socialism, the government owned most factories and distributed resources according to central plans.
patriotismnoun	A deep love, loyalty, and devotion to one's own country.	Waving flags on Independence Day, the crowd expressed a shared sense of patriotism.
heroismnoun	Great courage or bravery, especially when facing danger to help others.	The firefighter's heroism during the blaze saved three families from the burning building.
criticismnoun	The expression of disapproval based on perceived faults or mistakes.	The new policy faced heavy criticism from local business owners.
journalismnoun	The activity or profession of gathering, writing, and publishing news for the public.	She studied journalism in college before landing her first job at a local newspaper.
tourismnoun	The business and activity of traveling to and visiting places for pleasure or leisure.	Tourism is the main source of income for the small island nation.
mechanismnoun	A system of parts working together within a machine, or a process by which something happens.	A small mechanism inside the clock controls how the hands move each second.
organismnoun	An individual living thing.	A single bacterium is an organism.
magnetismnoun	The physical force that attracts certain materials, such as iron, and repels others; also a person's compelling charm.	The magnetism of the coil was strong enough to lift small metal pins.
favoritismnoun	The unfair practice of giving preferential treatment to one person or group over others.	Employees complained about favoritism after the manager's nephew got promoted ahead of everyone else.
professionalismnoun	The skill, competence, and conduct expected of a person trained for a particular job or profession.	The paramedics handled the chaotic scene with a professionalism that reassured everyone nearby.
activismnoun	The policy or practice of taking direct, vigorous action to achieve political or social change.	Her activism helped bring national attention to the community's lack of clean water.
racismnoun	Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against people based on their race.	The report documented widespread racism in the company's hiring practices.
sexismnoun	Prejudice or discrimination against people, especially women, based on their sex.	The lawsuit accused the firm of sexism for paying female employees less than men in the same role.
vandalismnoun	The deliberate destruction or defacement of property belonging to someone else.	Spray-painted slogans across the war memorial were widely condemned as vandalism.
plagiarismnoun	The act of using someone else's words or ideas and presenting them as your own.	The student was expelled after the university found clear evidence of plagiarism in her thesis.
volunteerismnoun	The practice or principle of doing unpaid work to help other people or a cause.	The mayor praised local volunteerism after hundreds of residents helped clean the riverbank.
symbolismnoun	The use of symbols or images to represent ideas, qualities, or feelings beyond their literal meaning.	The novel is full of religious symbolism, especially in its final chapter.
mysticismnoun	The belief that direct, personal knowledge of ultimate reality or God can be reached through spiritual experience.	The monk devoted his life to mysticism, seeking union with the divine through prayer.
skepticismnoun	An attitude of doubting claims or beliefs until they are supported by sufficient evidence.	The scientist approached the new theory with skepticism until the data was independently confirmed.
humanismnoun	A philosophical outlook that emphasizes human reason, values, and dignity, often independent of religious belief.	Renaissance humanism encouraged scholars to study classical texts and human potential rather than only religious doctrine.
nationalismnoun	A strong sense of identity and loyalty to one's nation, often including a belief in its right to independence or dominance.	Rising nationalism in the region led to increased tension between neighboring countries.
individualismnoun	A social outlook that emphasizes personal freedom, self-reliance, and independence over group conformity.	American culture is often described as valuing individualism over collective decision-making.
athleticismnoun	Physical strength, fitness, speed, and agility, especially as displayed in sports or exercise.	The gymnast's athleticism was obvious in every powerful, precisely controlled movement.
communismnoun	A political and economic system in which property and the means of production are owned collectively, aiming for a classless society.	The country adopted communism after the revolution overthrew the monarchy.

Frequently asked questions

What does the suffix ism mean?

The suffix ism usually names a belief, practice, or condition, such as optimism, realism, or activism, turning a root word into an abstract noun.