consumerism

American  

[kuhn-soo-muh-riz-uhm] / kənˈsu məˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products, misleading advertising, unfair pricing, etc.

2. the concept that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy.

3. the fact or practice of an increasing consumption of goods.

   a critic of American consumerism.

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consumerism British  

/ kənˈsjuːməˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. protection of the interests of consumers

2. advocacy of a high rate of consumption and spending as a basis for a sound economy

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consumerism Cultural  

1. A movement in the United States that seeks to protect consumers against shoddy or improperly labeled products. (See Ralph Nader.)

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Other Word Forms

• anticonsumerism noun
• consumerist noun

Etymology

Origin of consumerism

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; consumer + -ism

Example Sentences

“All these efforts to spend less, to save more, to discover things you can do without giving in to consumerism, there’s an added benefit, which is a sense of control,” Caro said.

From MarketWatch

But impersonators, academics and even working Santas agree: Americans’ embrace of the Grinch in 2025 goes far beyond consumerism.

From Los Angeles Times

Some fans and critics of the singer are questioning whether Swift is overexposed or if her recent work is feeding a culture of consumerism.

From Los Angeles Times

Japan has a tiny Christian majority and Christmas is a secular festival of full-bore consumerism complete with Santa, gifts and streetlights.

From Barron's

But mobilizing patriotic consumerism also carries risks that official sanctions don’t.

From The Wall Street Journal