perfectionism

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

/ pərˈfɛk ʃəˌnɪz əm /

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.

Nearby words

perfecta, perfectibility of man, perfectible, perfecting press, perfection, perfectionism, perfectionist, perfective, perfectivize, perfectly, perfecto

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for perfectionism

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|DAILY BEAST
He was indeed “caught in the trap of his own perfectionism.”
Do Michelin Stars Still Matter?|Brandon Presser|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
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
Perfectionism: defining the term as referring to God's righteousness, and not self-righteousness.
History of American Socialisms|John Humphrey Noyes
We know it is a doctrine of perfectionism, but it is not a practicable doctrine, in our opinion.
Abolition a Sedition|Geo. W. Donohue
Their principles are perfectionism, communism and free love.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, October, 1877, Vol. XX. No. 118|Various
This is the application of perfectionism to politics, which was originally a religious notion.
Abolition a Sedition|Geo. W. Donohue

British Dictionary definitions for perfectionism

perfectionism

/ (pəˈfɛkʃəˌnɪzəm) /

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

Medicine definitions for perfectionism

perfectionism

[ pər-fĕk′shə-nĭz′əm ]

n.

A tendency to set rigid high standards of personal performance.

Related forms

per•fec′tion•ist adj. n.