relativism

[ rel-uh-tuh-viz-uhm ]

/ ˈrɛl ə təˌvɪz əm /

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noun Philosophy.

any theory holding that criteria of judgment are relative, varying with individuals and their environments.

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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of relativism

First recorded in 1860–65; relative + -ism

Words nearby relativism

relative pronoun, relative temperature scale, relative to, relative topology, relative wind, relativism, relativist, relativistic, relativistic mass, relativistic quantum mechanics, relativity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use relativism in a sentence

We needn’t choose between wide-open moral relativism and a rigid insistence that there is just one right way to live.
Are We Cut Out for Universal Morality? - Issue 100: Outsiders|William J. FitzPatrick|May 26, 2021|Nautilus
In a few neat sentences, Perry turns the idea of moral obligation into moral relativism.
Confronting George Clooney’s Critics on South Sudan|John Avlon|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But no spineless relativism is necessary to recognize that, for most human beings, realness comes in various flavors.
Atheist Philosopher Peter Boghossian’s Guide to Converting Believers|Michael Schulson|November 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But in bilateral human-rights dialogues, the Chinese continue to insist on cultural and historical relativism.
Obama, Don’t Let Xi Forget China’s Human Rights Record|Yang Jianli|June 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Not too long ago, that idea was kind of out of vogue, and moral relativism was the rage.
Mary Robinson: Climate Change’s Gender Gap|Katie Baker|March 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Andrew Roberts on how moral relativism is keeping bad guys from getting what they deserve.
Enough With the Cliffhangers! Movies Need a Cathartic Conclusion|Andrew Roberts|March 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Jefferson's relativism is even more clearly marked in the last chapter, which forms the real conclusion of the book.
Thomas Jefferson|Gilbert Chinard
If this one exception is granted, the whole illusory universe of relativism is overthrown.
Outspoken Essays|William Ralph Inge
The inevitable consequence is that we imprison ourselves hopelessly in the affirmation of Kantian relativism.
A New Philosophy: Henri Bergson|Edouard le Roy
The former view is relativism, the latter is absolutism, in the matter of truth.
Pragmatism|D.L. Murray

British Dictionary definitions for relativism

relativism

/ (ˈrɛlətɪˌvɪzəm) /

noun

any theory holding that truth or moral or aesthetic value, etc, is not universal or absolute but may differ between individuals or culturesSee also historicism

Derived forms of relativism

relativist, noun, 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

Cultural definitions for relativism

relativism

The doctrine that no ideas or beliefs are universally true but that all are, instead, “relative” — that is, their validity depends on the circumstances in which they are applied.