perfectionism

[per-fek-shuh-niz-uh m]

See more synonyms for perfectionism on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

Origin of perfectionism

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; perfection + -ism

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.
Face It—We Rubes Will Never Live Like Gwyneth and Jennifer Aniston
Rachel Bertsche
July 2, 2014
He was indeed “caught in the trap of his own perfectionism.”
Do Michelin Stars Still Matter?
Brandon Presser
May 8, 2014
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.
A Plot Against Living: J.F. Powers’s ‘Suitable Accommodations’
D. G. Myers
August 20, 2013
But for a poignant and very enjoyable commentary on the grim perils of Vogue-inspired perfectionism, you could do no better.
Feminist Flagellant: Liz Jones’s Surprising Brand of Tell-All
Emma Garman
July 22, 2013

Historical Examples

Perfectionism: defining the term as referring to God's righteousness, and not self-righteousness.
History of American Socialisms
John 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. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
This is the application of perfectionism to politics, which was originally a religious notion.
Abolition a Sedition
Geo. 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 Sedition
Geo. W. Donohue
We know it is a doctrine of perfectionism, but it is not a practicable doctrine, in our opinion.
Abolition a Sedition
Geo. W. Donohue

British Dictionary definitions for perfectionism

perfectionism

noun

philosophy the doctrine that man can attain perfection in this life
the demand for the highest standard of excellence

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 in Medicine

perfectionism

(pər-fĕk′shə-nĭz′əm)

A tendency to set rigid high standards of personal performance.

Related formsper•fec′tion•ist adj. n.

perfectionism

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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.

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.

Perfectionism, no less than isolationism or imperialism or power politics, may obstruct the paths to international peace.

This is the application of perfectionism to politics, which was originally a religious notion.

When he happens to be guilty of a fault, he is in a state of lapse; at other times in a state of perfectionism.

We know it is a doctrine of perfectionism, but it is not a practicable doctrine, in our opinion.

perfectionism

perfectionism

Origin of perfectionism