bossism

American

[baw-siz-uhm, bos-iz-] / ˈbɔ sɪz əm, ˈbɒs ɪz- /

noun

control by bosses, especially political bosses.

bossism British

/ ˈbɒsˌɪzəm /

noun

the domination or the system of domination of political organizations by bosses

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bossism

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; boss ¹ + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Stripping Madigan’s bossism out of the statehouse would be like opening the windows to a dusty attic.

From Washington Times • Sep. 8, 2020

“Al D’Amato accusing someone of bossism is like the Kardashians calling someone gaudy,” said Mike Morey, a spokesman for Ms. Quinn.

From New York Times • May 16, 2013

Flynn's book, a record of such attention to detail, demonstrates again that eternal vigilance is the price of bossism.

From Time Magazine Archive

Having turned against the bosses in order to ensure the support of the surging reform Democrats, Wagner managed to make bossism the campaign's big issue.

From Time Magazine Archive

It indulged in admirable essays against corruption, gang rule and bossism.

From The Conflict by Phillips, David Graham

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023