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Definition of paternalism

paternalism

/pəˈtɝːnəlɪzəm/
pa · ter · nal · ism
Adverb:paternalistically
•
Adjective:paternalistic
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paternalism Lexical Profile

paternalism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The policy or practice on the part of people in positions of authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those subordinate to them in the subordinates' supposed best interest.

Example

"Modern medical ethics has largely shifted away from clinical paternalism toward a model of shared decision-making and patient autonomy."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for paternalism
Antonyms
View all antonyms for paternalism

Word Nuance & Usage

In modern political, ethical, and medical discourse, 'paternalism' generally carries a negative connotation, implying that an authority figure is overriding someone's personal autonomy under the guise of benevolence.

• Rhymes for paternalism

• Nearby Words

patented
patently
paternal
paternalism
paternalistic
paternally
paternity

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century from 'paternal' (derived from Latin 'paternus', meaning 'of a father', from 'pater' meaning 'father') plus the suffix '-ism'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Paternalism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/paternalism
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