What does "zionism" mean?
Jewish nationalism, the movement which supported first the establishment of a Jewish homeland and now supports the continuation of Israel as a Jewish state.
Zionism
/ˈzaɪəˌnɪzəm/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Jewish nationalism, the movement which supported first the establishment of a Jewish homeland and now supports the continuation of Israel as a Jewish state.
- Grammar: zionism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: branch ideologies, controversy around zionism, debate about zionism, discourse on zionism.
- Useful contrasts: antizionism.
- Usage evidence: Does zionism kill more than Big Pharma?
How to use "zionism"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "zionism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "zionism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "zionism" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "zionism" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "zionism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "branch ideologies" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "zionism", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Jewish nationalism, the movement which supported first the establishment of a Jewish homeland and now supports the continuation of Israel as a Jewish state. countable, uncountable
"These investigations indicate that although a large proportion of American Jews call themselves Zionists, their meanings of Zionism are closer to what some investigators have called pro-Israelism. According to the still common Israeli definition of a Zionist as one who views the Diaspora negatively and considers the settlement of Jews in Israel as essential, the vast majority of American Jews would not be considered Zionists."
- 2 a policy for establishing and developing a national homeland for Jews in Palestine wordnet
- 3 A religion practiced throughout sub-Saharan Africa, most popular in Swaziland, consisting of a mixture of Protestantism and animism. countable, uncountable
- 4 a movement of world Jewry that arose late in the 19th century with the aim of creating a Jewish state in Palestine wordnet
- 5 A Christian eschatological concept that links the migration of Jews to Palestine with apocalyptic events. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonyms branch ideologiescontroversy around zionismdebate about zionismdiscourse on zionismherzlianismjewish nationalism
Antonyms
Example
"Does zionism kill more than Big Pharma?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "zionism"?
Common synonyms include: branch ideologies, controversy around zionism, debate about zionism, discourse on zionism, herzlianism, jewish nationalism.
How do you use "zionism" in a sentence?
Does zionism kill more than Big Pharma?
How do you pronounce "zionism"?
Pronounced /ˈzaɪəˌnɪzəm/.
Etymology
From Zion + -ism, calqued in analogy to German Zionismus, coined by Nathan Birnbaum in 1890.