toryism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequency (C2 level, historical/political contexts)Formal, academic, historical, political discourse
Quick answer
What does “toryism” mean?
The principles, practices, or policies associated with a Tory or the Tory party.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The principles, practices, or policies associated with a Tory or the Tory party.
Political conservatism, especially of a traditionalist or reactionary character; adherence to established institutions and resistance to radical change.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, refers specifically to the historical/conservative political tradition. In American English, may be used more loosely for any strong conservatism, often with historical reference to British colonialism.
Connotations
UK: Strong historical/ideological specificity; US: Often broader, sometimes derogatory.
Frequency
Rare in general use in both dialects, mostly found in political history texts.
Grammar
How to Use “toryism” in a Sentence
[Subject] espoused/embodied/practised toryism.[Context] was marked by a shift towards toryism.His speeches reflected a deep-seated toryism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “toryism” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- His family's toryism dated back to the 18th century.
- The essay criticised the paternalistic toryism of the landed gentry.
- One-nation toryism emphasised social obligation.
American English
- The columnist detected a strain of old-world toryism in the senator's views.
- This was less libertarianism and more a kind of economic toryism.
- His argument had a whiff of aristocratic toryism about it.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not typical; might appear in discussions of regulatory philosophy.
Academic
Used in political science and history to describe a specific ideological tradition.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Precise term in political theory and historiography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “toryism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “toryism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “toryism”
- Using 'Toryism' to refer to modern Conservative Party policies without historical dimension.
- Confusing it with general 'conservatism' in non-British contexts.
- Misspelling as 'torynism' or 'torism'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Toryism refers to the historical principles and traditions, often more paternalistic and traditionalist, that underpinned the old Tory party. The modern Conservative Party has evolved and incorporates other ideologies like economic liberalism.
It depends on the speaker's perspective. Supporters may use it positively to denote respect for tradition and stability. Critics may use it pejoratively to imply being out-of-date or opposed to progress.
It is primarily a UK-specific term. In other countries like Canada, it might be used historically or by analogy to describe similar conservative traditions, but it is not a common contemporary term.
'Tory' is a noun for a member/supporter of the party or the ideology. 'Toryism' is the abstract noun referring to the ideology, principles, or system of thought itself.
The principles, practices, or policies associated with a Tory or the Tory party.
Toryism is usually formal, academic, historical, political discourse in register.
Toryism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɔːriɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɔriˌɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TORY' + 'ISM' – the ideology of being a Tory, like 'conservatism' but with a British historical flavour.
Conceptual Metaphor
Politics as tradition/legacy (e.g., 'Toryism is the bedrock of the country's political heritage').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'toryism' most accurately used?