Meaning

The act or state of being nonlegal; an attitude or approach that favors a lack of hierarchy and legal strictures and prefers situational negotiation..

Definitions by Sense

1. The act or state of being nonlegal; an attitude or approach that favors a lack of hierarchy and legal strictures and prefers situational negotiation.
2. (religion, theology) An approach to religion that stresses faith and love over specific religious strictures.

Example Sentences

Near-synonym: antilegalism

Within each dimension of organizational activity (B.1,2, & 3 in the table), in moving from the legalistic to the deregulatory mode, two kinds of changes occur: first, thre is less supervision by the external, lawmaking agency; and, second, to the extent supervision and interaction remain, the style (or mode) is more flexible, spontaneous, innovative, discretionary, and so on. (No wonder nonlegalism is emotionally appealing!)

[…] nonlegalism is often contrasted to the legalism of other ' patriarchal ' systems.

In the GATT dispute settlement procedures, Japan believed in nonlegalism or pragmatism, and preferred negotiaion and diplomatic settlement.

In the balance between legalism and nonlegalism, the latter prevailed. The Iranians avoided legal arguments about the exact meaning of Article VI of the 1921 Soviet-Iranian friendship treaty (see Qavam's comment to Stalin above).

Near-synonyms: antilegalism, antinomianism, antinomism, solifidianism

In contrast, Bawer continues that progressive or liberal theology or nonlegalism puts love at its center, with spiritual experience, priesthood of all believers, and the Great Commandment.

Word Forms

• non-legalism

Synonyms for nonlegalism

Antonyms for nonlegalism

When Should You Use Nonlegalism?

Use nonlegalism when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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