rightism
noun
right·ism ˈrīt-ˌi-zəm 
variants often Rightism
1
: the principles and views of the political Right (see right entry 2 sense 7a)
also : the movement embodying these principles
2
: advocacy of or adherence to the doctrines of the Right
rightist noun
or less commonly Rightist
plural rightists also Rightists
Examples of rightism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some initial pursuits seemed to feint at center-rightism — Everglades restoration, a bump in new teachers’ pay, the appointment of a Democrat to lead the Division of Emergency Management — helping to lift early approval ratings into the 60s. —
Matt Flegenheimer, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2022 Anti-democratic rightism, or populism, is very different from conservatism. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 June 2021 But Isaac’s deeper point is that tribal leftism has not affected Democratic politics the way tribal rightism has infected the Republicans. —Andrew Sullivan, Daily Intelligencer, 22 Sep. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Matt Flegenheimer, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2022 Anti-democratic rightism, or populism, is very different from conservatism. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 June 2021 But Isaac’s deeper point is that tribal leftism has not affected Democratic politics the way tribal rightism has infected the Republicans. —Andrew Sullivan, Daily Intelligencer, 22 Sep. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Rightism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/rightism. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
