dynamism

[ dahy-nuh-miz-uhm ]

noun

1. any of various theories or philosophical systems that seek to explain phenomena of nature by the action of force. Compare mechanism ( def 8 ), vitalism ( def 1 ).
2. great energy, force, or power; vigor:

   the dynamism of the new governor.

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

dynamism

/ ˈdaɪnəˌmɪzəm /

noun

1. See mechanism, vitalism
   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

Derived Forms

• ˈdynamist, noun
• ˌdynaˈmistic, adjective

Other Words From

• dyna·mist noun
• dyna·mistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dynamism¹

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

Example Sentences

Teaching the view of the solar system that includes just eight static planets doesn’t do that dynamism justice.

From Science News

The dynamism that makes America so strong might also be what makes it so unpredictable.

From Time

Its long history of political independence and cultural dynamism makes it one of the world’s most important stories—one too often overlooked outside Africa.

From Time

In the 18th century, the area saw the emergence of a new Palestine-based autonomous rule, spurred in part by the region’s commercial dynamism, especially its trade in cotton and grain.

From Washington Post

I’m not sure that I’m comfortable making any sort of a list, but certainly there’s a lot to like about the dynamism in Las Vegas.

From Freakonomics

Dynamism is increasingly driven not by economies of scale but by competitively driven marginal improvements.

From The Daily Beast

In the Church of England, as a Guardian profile outlined, his dynamism was atypical.

From The Daily Beast

But if we accept the dynamism of capitalism that helps to generate so much wealth, we must also accept its volatility.

From The Daily Beast

The traditional tweeds had a graphic edge, and modern textile innovations added a visual dynamism.

From The Daily Beast

Which is to say, reducing the flexibility and dynamism of the economy.

From The Daily Beast

I will allow myself to repeat here what I have said a hundred times elsewhere: The universe is a dynamism.

From Project Gutenberg

The universe is a great organism controlled by a dynamism of the psychical order.

From Project Gutenberg

The question at present resolves itself into this: Does this dynamism belong wholly to the experimenters?

From Project Gutenberg

Realism is not identical with materialism, and may even be definitely connected with the very opposite, dynamism or energism.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, pure dynamism, now often called energism (and often spiritualism), is just as one-sided as pure materialism.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• act
• action
• change
• development
• evolution
• exercise
• flow
• migration
• move
• operation
• progress
• shift