legalism

[ lee-guh-liz-uhm ]

/ ˈli gəˌlɪz əm /

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See synonyms for: legalistic on Thesaurus.com

noun

strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit.

Theology.

the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.
the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.

(initial capital letter) (in Chinese philosophy) the principles and practices of a school of political theorists advocating strict legal control over all activities, a system of rewards and punishments uniform for all classes, and an absolute monarchy.

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Origin of legalism

First recorded in 1830–40; legal + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM legalism

le·gal·ist, nounle·gal·is·tic, adjectivele·gal·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use legalism in a sentence

This conclusion was, in the view of the Legalist, a reductio ad absurdum of Paulinism.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Galatians|G. G. Findlay
The Legalist gets his religion at second-hand, mixed with undivine elements.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Galatians|G. G. Findlay
The legalist practically takes the same view of human nature as the sensualist.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Galatians|G. G. Findlay
The legalist, desiring to exalt law, in reality stultifies it.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Galatians|G. G. Findlay

The legalist teaches that we must surrender earth in order to get heaven.
Notes on the Book of Genesis|Charles Henry Mackintosh

British Dictionary definitions for legalism

legalism

/ (ˈliːɡəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

strict adherence to the law, esp the stressing of the letter of the law rather than its spirit

Derived forms of legalism

legalist, noun, adjective

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