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institutionalist

American  
[in-sti-too-shuhn-uhl-ist] / ˌɪn stɪˈtu ʃən əl ɪst /

noun

plural

institutionalists
  1. person who believes in or advocates for institutionalism.


adjective

  1. of or relating to institutionalism.

Other Word Forms

  • anti-institutionalist noun
  • neo-institutionalist noun

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.

“That’s a fair point,” he says, but he insists he isn’t an institutionalist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

The institutionalist in him knows that, under the Constitution, the Senate’s power to confirm nominees is equal to a president’s in naming them.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2024

He initially tried to cultivate a reputation as a fair-minded institutionalist, occasionally surprising observers in controversial cases, as he did when he cast the deciding vote upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.

From Salon • Sep. 17, 2024

In addition, as Rodgers explained, Garland’s decision as an institutionalist was less about Trump than it was about the department’s role defending the office of the presidency.

From Slate • Jul. 13, 2023

For the institutionalist, happenings in time have a meaning and importance far greater than the mystic is willing to allow to them.

From Outspoken Essays by Inge, William Ralph