perfectionism

[ per-fek-shuh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. any of various doctrines holding that religious, moral, social, or political perfection is attainable.
2. a personal standard, attitude, or philosophy that demands perfection and rejects anything less.

perfectionism

/ pəˈfɛkʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy the doctrine that man can attain perfection in this life
2. the demand for the highest standard of excellence

Word History and Origins

Origin of perfectionism¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; perfection + -ism

Example Sentences

For medical professionals, there’s a culture of perfectionism that makes asking for help a sign of weakness.

From Time

Just like that, I started the steady slide into a vortex of self-denial, compulsiveness, and perfectionism while withering into a wisp of my former self, both physically and emotionally.

From Outside Online

There are other factors ready to sabotage good intentions, too, such as perfectionism and a dissonance between words and actions, Pychyl said.

From Washington Post

Studies find that self-criticism and perfectionism provide strong fuel for depression.

From Washington Post

The root of our perfectionism—the chicken or the egg—is hardly the point.

From The Daily Beast

Recent research has shown perfectionism to be an issue of genetics.

From The Daily Beast

He was indeed “caught in the trap of his own perfectionism.”

From The Daily Beast

Perfectionism becomes a sort of impossible perfectionism-plus.

From The Daily Beast

His friends warned that his “perfectionism” (his own word) would make him wacky.

From The Daily Beast

It passes over, in the insane pride of human perfectionism, the great fact that man is also a naturally depraved creature.

From Project Gutenberg

Their principles are perfectionism, communism and free love.

From Project Gutenberg

Perfectionism, the doctrine that moral perfection is by divine grace attainable in the present life.

From Project Gutenberg

Perfectionism, no less than isolationism or imperialism or power politics, may obstruct the paths to international peace.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the application of perfectionism to politics, which was originally a religious notion.

From Project Gutenberg