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Definition of "legalism" []

  • Strict, literal adherence to the law or to a particular code, as of religion or morality. (noun)
  • A legal word, expression, or rule. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "legalism" in a sentence
  • "One definition of legalism is believing that good works, including dressing modestly, will earn salvation."
  • "I've also been called a legalist and accused of thinking myself better than others (the true definition of legalism is believing that I must do certain things in order to be/stayed saved - which I don't, and wearing dresses wouldn't be one of those things!)."
  • "Another definition of legalism is substituting man-made rules and laws for those written in the Bible."