Word
ideology
Phoneticside·ol·o·gy
US/ˌaɪdiˈɑɫədʒi/
UK/ˌaɪdɪˈɒlədʒi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a set of ideas and principles that a group of people or a political party believes in.
n. a comprehensive set of normative beliefs, conscious and unconscious ideas, that an individual, group, or society holds.
Examples
“The political party is built on a strict socialist ideology.”
“The new leader promised to focus on practical solutions rather than pushing a specific political ideology that divides the country.”
“Critics argue that the curriculum is less about education and more about instilling a rigid ideology, leaving students ill-equipped to engage with dissenting viewpoints.”
Examples
simple
“The political party is built on a strict socialist ideology.”
contextual
“The new leader promised to focus on practical solutions rather than pushing a specific political ideology that divides the country.”
complex
“Critics argue that the curriculum is less about education and more about instilling a rigid ideology, leaving students ill-equipped to engage with dissenting viewpoints.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ideology” in context.
Verb
01. challenge the ideology
“Modern philosophers have begun to challenge the ideology that equates growth with progress.”
verb + noun
02. espouse an ideology
“The candidate continues to espouse an ideology of isolationism despite global trends.”
verb + noun
03. subscribe to an ideology
“Many young voters no longer subscribe to the rigid ideology of the traditional parties.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
04. entrenched ideology
“It is difficult to introduce social reforms when they conflict with a deeply entrenched ideology.”
adj + noun
05. prevailing ideology
“The prevailing ideology of the 1980s emphasized free-market capitalism and deregulation.”
adj + noun
06. radical ideology
“The group was accused of spreading a radical ideology that encouraged civil unrest.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. adherence to an ideology
“Strict adherence to an ideology can sometimes blind leaders to practical solutions.”
noun + prep + noun
08. clash of ideologies
“The Cold War was defined by a fundamental clash of ideologies between East and West.”
noun + of + noun
Usage
Often used with adjectives like 'political', 'economic', or 'religious'.
Real-World Examples
“It pushes back against both an ideology that frames adults as superior over children and the practices that are based on this belief, such as excluding teens from decision-making.” “They inherited it, already formed, from attitudes about gender that many of their recruits held before they ever found an ideology to attach it to.” Etymology
Borrowed from French idéologie, from idéo- + -logie (equivalent to English ideo- + -logy). Cognate with, but not derived from, idea. Coined 1796 by Antoine Destutt de Tracy. Modern sense of “doctrine” attributed to use of related idéologue (“ideologue”) by Napoleon Bonaparte as a term of abuse towards political opponents in early 1800s.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
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