perfectionism
[per-fek-shuh-niz-uh m]
- any of various doctrines holding that religious, moral, social, or political perfection is attainable.
- a personal standard, attitude, or philosophy that demands perfection and rejects anything less.
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Origin of perfectionism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for perfectionism
Contemporary Examples
The root of our perfectionism—the chicken or the egg—is hardly the point.
He was indeed “caught in the trap of his own perfectionism.”
Perfectionism becomes a sort of impossible perfectionism-plus.
Are Female Long-Distance Runners More Prone To Suicidal Depression?Emily de la Bruyere
February 3, 2014
His friends warned that his “perfectionism” (his own word) would make him wacky.
But for a poignant and very enjoyable commentary on the grim perils of Vogue-inspired perfectionism, you could do no better.
Historical Examples
Perfectionism: defining the term as referring to God's righteousness, and not self-righteousness.
History of American SocialismsJohn Humphrey Noyes
Perfectionism, no less than isolationism or imperialism or power politics, may obstruct the paths to international peace.
State of the Union Addresses of Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. Roosevelt
This is the application of perfectionism to politics, which was originally a religious notion.
Abolition a SeditionGeo. W. Donohue
When he happens to be guilty of a fault, he is in a state of lapse; at other times in a state of perfectionism.
Abolition a SeditionGeo. W. Donohue
We know it is a doctrine of perfectionism, but it is not a practicable doctrine, in our opinion.
Abolition a SeditionGeo. W. Donohue
perfectionism
- philosophy the doctrine that man can attain perfection in this life
- the demand for the highest standard of excellence
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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
perfectionism
(pər-fĕk′shə-nĭz′əm)- A tendency to set rigid high standards of personal performance.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.