Absolutism
noun /ˈæbsəluːtɪzəm/ — The belief in absolute truth or power — that some principles admit no exceptions.
Definition
The acceptance of or belief in absolute principles in political, philosophical, ethical, or theological matters; the political doctrine of absolute power concentrated in one ruler.
Beyond the definition
Absolutism is the philosophy of certainty — there is a truth, and there are no exceptions to it. The appeal is the relief from ambiguity; the danger is the tendency to become the justification for everything done in the certainty's name.
Origin & history
From Latin absolutus — unconditional (from absolvere: to set free, to complete). The complete thing — the principle that contains no unfinished business, no room for exception.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
His moral absolutism was admirable in small situations and catastrophic in complex ones.
Absolutism appeals because ambiguity is exhausting; the price is accuracy.
Every absolutist is certain; the question is whether certainty tracks truth.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Absolutism” when the meaning fits your context: The acceptance of or belief in absolute principles in political, philosophical, ethical, or theological matters; the political doctrine of absolute power concentrated in one ruler.
Synonyms
dogmatism, totalism, authoritarianism, monism
Antonyms
relativism, pluralism, moderation
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Dramatic Power Imbalance
Two adults stand in a room, one standing tall and pointing, while the other looks down, visibly excluded from the decision-making process.
The scene represents absolutism through the stark, dramatic power imbalance depicted, where one figure acts as a single authority and the other lacks a voice. It demonstrates the concentration of control and the absence of pluralistic input in the interaction.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Absolutism" mean?
Absolutism is noun meaning: The belief in absolute truth or power — that some principles admit no exceptions.. The acceptance of or belief in absolute principles in political, philosophical, ethical, or theological matters; the political doctrine of absolute power concentrated in one ruler.
Where does the word "Absolutism" come from?
From Latin absolutus — unconditional (from absolvere: to set free, to complete). The complete thing — the principle that contains no unfinished business, no room for exception.