perfectionism

[per-fek-shuh-niz-uhm]

noun

1. any of various doctrines holding that religious, moral, social, or political perfection is attainable.

2. a personal standard, attitude, or philosophy that demands perfection and rejects anything less.

perfectionism

/ pəˈfɛkʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy the doctrine that man can attain perfection in this life

2. the demand for the highest standard of excellence

Word History and Origins

Origin of perfectionism¹

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

Example Sentences

But she admitted her perfectionism had occasionally caused an issue on set.

From BBC

It undergirds authoritarianism, the search for perfectionism, the illusion of control.

From Salon

In each other, they found kindred spirits of perfectionism, going on to corner the Montreal makeup market, which was then booming with Hollywood shoots.

From Los Angeles Times

We donned wigs and played instruments as we fought for equity in a show that argued the appeal of music wasn’t perfectionism or talent but community.

From Los Angeles Times

What’s more, he shares that as an actor he’s imprisoned by his perfectionism, which he describes as “a self-imposed hell.”

From Los Angeles Times