1. Plural of formulism; excessive adherence to formulas, rules, or established procedures without regard for meaning or context.
Usage: Often used critically to describe rigid, mechanical application of rules.; Common in academic and artistic discourse.

Examples

• The teacher criticized the student's formulisms in essay writing, noting that following the five-paragraph structure alone does not guarantee good writing.
• Art critics often attack formulisms in commercial cinema, where plot devices are recycled without innovation.
• Legal formulisms can sometimes obscure the true intent of a law.
• The composer rejected the formulisms of classical tradition in favor of experimental techniques.
• Bureaucratic formulisms often slow down decision-making processes.