Legalism
Definition & Meaning
Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Legalism is a noun meaning (countable) A legal axiom, term or rule.
Meaning
(countable) A legal axiom, term or rule.
More Meanings
- (Chinese philosophy, uncountable) Alternative letter-case form of Legalism.
- (uncountable) The focusing on the text of written law to the exclusion of the intent of law, elevating strict adherence to law over justice, mercy, grace and common sense.
- (religion, often derogatory, uncountable) A belief that salvation is attained or maintained by adherence to the requirements of moral law; salvation by works rather than by faith alone.
Word Forms
- legalisms
Synonyms for legalism
Depending on context, synonyms include casuistry.
Antonyms for legalism
Common opposites include antilegalism, nonlegalism, antinomianism, antinomism, solifidianism.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include textualism, legalist, constructionism, literalist, doctrinalism, fundamentalism.
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Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.