solipsism

noun

so·lip·sism | \ ˈsō-ləp-ˌsi-zəm

, ˈsä-\

Definition of solipsism

: a theory holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing also : extreme egocentrism

Other Words from solipsism Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about solipsism

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Did You Know?

Fans of René Descartes credit the French philosopher with introducing solipsism as a major problem of modern philosophy, but the word solipsism most likely sprang from a French satire written by Giulio Clemente Scotti in 1652 called La Monarchie des Solipses. The term wasn't used in English until the late 19th century, when solipsism, a composite of the Latin solus ("alone") and ipse ("self"), was applied purely in the philosophical sense. Recently the word has taken on another, more general sense, suggesting an ego-driven selfishness or self-indulgence.

Examples of solipsism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One reader, with the username solipsism, objected to Gackle’s claims about what was and wasn’t interesting. — Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, "The Lonely Work of Moderating Hacker News," 8 Aug. 2019 Introversion isn’t solipsism; solitude isn’t loneliness. — Caitlin Gibson, Washington Post, "The rise of the only child: How America is coming around to the idea of ‘just one’," 19 June 2019 The tech monopolies leaned into this idea, appealing to and flattering our selfishness and solipsism. — Renee Diresta, WIRED, "Seeing Through Silicon Valley’s Shameless ‘Disruption’," 28 July 2019 Her achievement here is not to reinvent the coming-of-age narrative so much as recontextualize it, refusing the temptations of solipsism that can sometimes seep into cruel stories of youth. — Justin Chang, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: Moving ‘Too Late to Die Young’ opens a window on a lost Chilean summer," 13 June 2019 The reader and writer both self-transcend; a seemingly private act, reading counteracts solipsism. — C. E. Morgan, New York Times, "Galloping Through History," 30 Mar. 2018 Questions of luck and social privilege, fate and free will, empathy and solipsism are woven throughout this discursive narrative whose detail-rich sequences lead to psychological insights and unexpected revelations. — Tom Nolan, WSJ, "Mysteries: A Case of Mistaken Identity," 11 Oct. 2018 For a pop celebrity, solipsism comes as easily as breathing. — Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, "Kanye West goes inside on 'Ye,' maybe — or he might be trolling us all," 1 June 2018 Think about your personal devices, those technologies of solipsism that have flourished in the past two decades. — Daniel Mendelsohn, Town & Country, "Is This the End of Civility As We Know It?," 29 June 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'solipsism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for solipsism

solipsism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of solipsism

technical : a theory in philosophy that your own existence is the only thing that is real or that can be known

See the full definition for solipsism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

solipsism

Definition of solipsism

Other Words from solipsism

Did You Know?

Examples of solipsism in a Sentence

First Known Use of solipsism

History and Etymology for solipsism

English Language Learners Definition of solipsism

solipsism

Definition of solipsism

Other Words from solipsism

Did You Know?

Examples of solipsism in a Sentence

First Known Use of solipsism

History and Etymology for solipsism

English Language Learners Definition of solipsism

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