verbalism

American  

[vur-buh-liz-uhm] / ˈvɜr bəˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. a verbal expression, as a word or phrase.

2. the way in which something is worded; choice of words; phrasing.

3. a phrase or sentence having little or no meaning.

4. a use of words considered as predominating over or obscuring ideas or reality; verbiage.

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verbalism British  

/ ˈvɜːbəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a verbal expression; phrase or word

2. an exaggerated emphasis on the importance of words by the uncritical acceptance of assertions in place of explanations, the use of rhetorical style, etc

3. a statement lacking real content, esp a cliché

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Etymology

Origin of verbalism

First recorded in 1780–90; verbal + -ism

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

verbalism

Through the echoes of the new verbalism, one can sense the distress of that crystal spirit, George Orwell.

From Time Magazine Archive

While this operatic verbalism with its faults and merits cannot of course be assigned wholly to Peele, he seems to have been in the drama one of its earliest and most influential purveyors.

From Tragedy by Ashley H. Thorndike

The weird verbalism of the traditional Logic suggests a problem which strikes deeper even than the question, 'What do you mean by truth?' viz.:

From Pragmatism by D. L. Murray

This 'science,' therefore, finally reduces to mere verbalism, distracted by inconsistent relapses into 'psychology.'

From Pragmatism by D. L. Murray

Perhaps more than anyone else, the Fabians are responsible for turning English socialist thought from the verbalism of the Marxian disciples to the actualities of English political life.

From A Preface to Politics by Walter Lippmann

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