noun · neutral
hedonism
UK/ˈhiːd(ə)nɪzəm/US/ˈhiːdənɪzəm/HED·o·nism
The doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the highest good and proper aim of human life.
Examples
“Critics claim that certain adverts promote hedonism by linking happiness with immediate gratification.”
“Hedonism is often contrasted with ascetic philosophies that value self-denial.”
“The novel explores a protagonist's descent into hedonism and its consequences.”
Band 8 sentence
“Contemporary debates question whether capitalism inevitably fosters hedonism or merely facilitates diverse forms of leisure.”
Collocations
- philosophy of hedonism
- hedonistic lifestyle
- pursuit of hedonism
Word family
Common mistakes
the hedonism→hedonism
hedonism life→hedonistic life
Say it for a higher band
5enjoyment→6pleasure-seeking→7+hedonism
Synonyms
pleasure-seeking
Easily confused
consumerism
“Consumerism encourages people to buy more goods to feel satisfied.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In -ism
Learn it with its set