noun · academic
consumerism
UK/kənˈsjuːmərɪz(ə)m/US/kənˈsuːmərɪzəm/con·SU·mer·ism
the practice or ideology of encouraging the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts
Examples
“Many Task 2 essays criticise consumerism as harmful to the environment.”
“Advertising is often said to fuel consumerism in modern societies.”
“Debates about consumerism touch on social values and sustainability.”
Band 8 sentence
“Contemporary debates often link consumerism with environmental degradation and suggest policy measures to promote sustainable consumption.”
Collocations
- culture of consumerism
- combat consumerism
- rise of consumerism
Word family
Common mistakes
consumption→consumerism
shopping→consumerism
Say it for a higher band
5buying→6consumption→7+consumerism
Synonyms
materialism
Easily confused
consumption
“Global consumption of meat has increased in recent decades.”
Related words
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In Shopping & Money
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