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Synonyms

dynamism

American  
[dahy-nuh-miz-uhm] / ˈdaɪ nəˌmɪz əm /

noun

  1. any of various theories or philosophical systems that seek to explain phenomena of nature by the action of force.

  2. great energy, force, or power; vigor.

    the dynamism of the new governor.

  3. Psychology. a habitual mode of reducing or eliminating tension.

dynamism British  
/ ˈdaɪnəˌmɪzəm /

noun

  1. philosophy any of several theories that attempt to explain phenomena in terms of an immanent force or energy Compare mechanism vitalism

  2. the forcefulness of an energetic personality

"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

Other Word Forms

  • dynamist noun
  • dynamistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of dynamism

First recorded in 1825–35; dynam- ( def. ) + -ism

Explanation

Anything that's healthy, active, and vigorous has dynamism. Your pet turtle's dynamism is really amazing — I don't think I've ever seen one move so fast! Dynamism can be a quality of making great progress or being successful, so you might refer to the dynamism of your lemonade stand, which has been busy all afternoon and earned you fifty bucks. It also describes a positive, energetic quality in people: "Her dynamism inspired everyone around her to get involved and lend a hand." Dynamism comes from a Greek root, dynamis, "power, might, or strength."

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Vocabulary lists containing dynamism

Novel Study: When Breath Becomes Air, Part II–Epilogue

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

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.

Longer term, that could be a problem, because the labor market needs dynamism that comes from workers moving jobs, Richardson said.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

And, as much as I hate to unwittingly side with network executives, a new iteration that featured Gellar as anything other than its shining star wouldn’t have the dynamism of the original series.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

Almost 80% of the country's start-ups are early stage, she says, demonstrating a dynamism in the creation of new companies.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

And this invocation to keep moving reveals something about the chapel’s architecture—its dynamism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

It seems to me like that thrust of dynamism which caused and permitted whole peoples to migrate and to conquer in earlier ages.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.