Standard Lemma guide

Luddism

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Opposition to the Industrial Revolution by textile workers fearing for their livelihoods.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Opposition to technological change.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, derogatory, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Ludd + -ism, after Ned Ludd, a legendary example.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Italian: luddismo — opposition to the Industrial Revolution by textile workers
  • Portuguese: ludismo — opposition to the Industrial Revolution by textile workers
  • Italian: luddismo — opposition to technological change
  • Italian: neoluddismo — opposition to technological change
  • Portuguese: ludismo — opposition to technological change