meliorism
the doctrine that the world tends to become better or may be made better by human effort.
Origin of meliorism
1Other words from meliorism
- mel·io·rist, noun, adjective
- mel·io·ris·tic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use meliorism in a sentence
I don't know that I ever heard anybody use the word "meliorist" except myself.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. III (of 3) | George EliotIdealists may feel empty and despairing when confronted by the naked truth, but the meliorist feels an inexpressible calm.
The Growth of a Soul | August StrindbergShe held to the middle term, which she invented for herself, of "meliorist."
George Eliot's Life, Vol. III (of 3) | George EliotA pessimist in contemplation, he remains a meliorist in action.
Little Eyolf | Henrik IbsenThe meliorist attitude, on the contrary, is rather to say, "Much is wrong; much painful; what can we do to improve it?"
Post-Prandial Philosophy | Grant Allen
British Dictionary definitions for meliorism
/ (ˈmiːlɪəˌrɪzəm) /
the notion that the world can be improved by human effort
Origin of meliorism
1Derived forms of meliorism
- meliorist, adjective, noun
- melioristic, 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
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