rugged individualism

noun

The ideal in which an individual is more successful by their own work without any outside assistance, especially from the government.

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Meanings

nounrugged individualism (uncountable)
  1. USuncountablegovernmentThe ideal in which an individual is more successful by their own work without any outside assistance, especially from the government.
  2. USuncountablegovernmentThe ideal in which social and economic interactions are more focused on the individual self, personal liberty, and independence.
Cite this entry
APA

rugged individualism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rugged%20individualism

MLA

“rugged individualism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rugged%20individualism. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rugged individualism,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rugged%20individualism.

Source: rugged individualism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.