legalism

L1E1G2A1L1I1S1M3

noun

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.

Similar
casuistry
Opposite
antilegalismnonlegalismantinomianismantinomismsolifidianism
UncommonScrabble 11
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Meanings

legalism1

nounlegalism (countable and uncountable, plural legalisms)

plural legalisms

  1. uncountableThe 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.

    Synonyms: casuistry · Antonyms: antilegalism, nonlegalism

  2. derogatoryoftenuncountablelifestyleA belief that salvation is attained or maintained by adherence to the requirements of moral law; salvation by works rather than by faith alone.

    Antonyms: antilegalism, antinomianism, antinomism, solifidianism, nonlegalism

  3. countableA legal axiom, term or rule.
  4. Chineseuncountablehuman sciencesAlternative letter-case form of Legalism.

Legalism2

nounLegalism (uncountable)
  1. uncountableA school of thought, originating in ancient China during the Warring States period and officially adopted during the Qin dynasty, advocating rule by law as key to ensuring social stability.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe 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.

Similar
casuistry
Opposite
antilegalismnonlegalism

nounA belief that salvation is attained or maintained by adherence to the requirements of moral law; salvation by works rather than by faith alone.

Opposite
antilegalismantinomianismantinomismsolifidianismnonlegalism
Also see
works righteousness

Origin

legalism · noun

From legal + -ism. Piecewise doublet of loyalism.

Full word history & related roots →

Legalism · noun

From legal + -ism, calque from Chinese 法家 (fǎjiā). Almost always capitalised.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 法律形式主義 /法律形式主义, 墨守成規 /墨守成规
  • 法律形式主義 /法律形式主义focusing on text instead of intent
  • 墨守成規 /墨守成规 (mòshǒuchéngguī)focusing on text instead of intent
  • 律法主義 /律法主义salvation by works
  • 律法至上論 /律法至上论salvation by works
  • 法律格言 (fǎlǜ géyán)legal axiom, term or rule
  • 法律原則 /法律原则 (fǎlǜ yuánzé)legal axiom, term or rule
  • 法家 (fǎjiā)school of thought originating in ancient China
Finnish legalismi, legalismi
  • legalismifocusing on text instead of intent
  • legalismisalvation by works
  • lakimääräyslegal axiom, term or rule
  • lakitermilegal axiom, term or rule
  • legalismischool of thought originating in ancient China
French juridisme, juridisme
  • juridismefocusing on text instead of intent
  • juridismesalvation by works
German Legalismus, Legismus
  • Legalismusschool of thought originating in ancient China
  • Legismusschool of thought originating in ancient China
Japanese 法家
  • 法家 (hōka)school of thought originating in ancient China
Korean 법률만능주의, 율법주의
  • 법률만능주의 (beomnyulmanneungjuui)focusing on text instead of intent
  • 율법주의 (yulbeopjuui)salvation by works
  • 법가 (beopga)school of thought originating in ancient China
Polish legalizm
  • legalizmfocusing on text instead of intent
Russian леги́зм
  • леги́зм (legízm)school of thought originating in ancient China
Spanish legalismo
  • legalismofocusing on text instead of intent
Vietnamese pháp gia
  • pháp giaschool of thought originating in ancient China
Cite this entry
APA

legalism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/legalism

MLA

“legalism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/legalism. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “legalism,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/legalism.

Source: legalism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.