monolithic identity

USAGE SUMMARY

"monolithic identity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a single, unchanging identity that someone has maintained over time, either for themselves or through a group identity such as nationality. For example, "For many immigrants, maintaining a monolithic identity has become increasingly difficult amidst the cultural melting pot of America."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The Tebbit test is racist and belongs to the time of monolithic identity.

The Guardian - Sport

But Facebook has trained us to collapse our personality into one monolithic identity.

TechCrunch

The implication is that Southern culture shares a monolithic identity -- an identity to avoid.

Huffington Post

Monolithic identity as well as views are represented as mandatory for loyalty and godliness.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Haraway's postmodern image of the cyborg (explained below) is intended to raise worries, derived largely from writings of women of color, about single, monolithic (identity-based) accounts of oppression/liberation.

SEP

There is no monolithic black identity.

The New York Times

Why must Europeans insist that their countries have a monolithic cultural identity and that Muslims should assimilate?

The Economist

Efforts to be seen as "an individual" necessitate that we differentiate ourselves from some supposedly monolithic black identity and authenticity.

The New York Times - Books

In neighboring Pakistan, which was created as a homeland for Muslims in 1947, a similar attempt at building a monolithic national identity, through Islam, has produced disastrous results.

The New York Times

He is pushing for a wider liberalisation of the country that would change conditions for all Turkish citizens, empowering minorities and ending the monolithic "national" identity on which Erdoğan and his Justice and Development party (AKP), have built 13 years of electoral success.

The Guardian

Only by transforming Saudi Arabia's currently monolithic Saudi/Wahhabi national identity into a more inclusive one will the Kingdom become a model that is attractive to its minorities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "monolithic identity" when you want to emphasize the lack of diversity or the imposition of a single, standardized identity within a group or culture. Be mindful of the negative connotations it can carry, implying a suppression of individuality.

Common error

Avoid using "monolithic identity" as a catch-all term for any group, as it risks oversimplifying complex realities and ignoring the diversity of individual experiences and perspectives within that group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "monolithic identity" functions as a noun phrase, where 'monolithic' modifies 'identity'. Its primary grammatical function is to describe a specific type of identity that is uniform and undifferentiated. Ludwig examples show it often refers to imposed or perceived uniformity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "monolithic identity" is a phrase used to describe a singular, unchanging identity, often within a group or culture. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The Guardian and academic texts, indicating its validity in formal and analytical contexts. Usage often carries a critical connotation, implying a lack of diversity or forced assimilation. Related phrases include "uniform identity" and "homogenous identity". When using the phrase, be mindful of potential overgeneralizations and the risk of ignoring individual experiences within a group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uniform identity

Emphasizes the lack of variation within the identity.

homogenous identity

Highlights the similarity and lack of differentiation within the identity.

singular identity

Focuses on the single, undivided nature of the identity.

undifferentiated identity

Points out the absence of distinct characteristics within the identity.

unified identity

Stresses the cohesive and integrated nature of the identity.

standardized identity

Highlights the adherence to a common standard in forming the identity.

fixed identity

Conveys the unchanging and static nature of the identity.

immutable identity

Emphasizes the permanent and unalterable aspect of the identity.

rigid identity

Suggests a strict and inflexible adherence to a particular identity.

essentialized identity

Implies a reduction of identity to a set of core, unchanging attributes.

FAQs

How can I use "monolithic identity" in a sentence?

You can use "monolithic identity" to describe a group or culture that is perceived to have a single, uniform identity, such as "The regime promoted a "monolithic identity", suppressing all forms of dissent.".

What does "monolithic identity" imply?

"Monolithic identity" often implies a lack of diversity and can suggest forced assimilation or suppression of individual differences within a group.

Are there synonyms for "monolithic identity"?

Yes, you can use terms like "uniform identity", "homogenous identity", or "singular identity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as having a "monolithic identity"?

While not always inherently negative, describing something as having a "monolithic identity" often carries a critical connotation, suggesting a lack of individuality and diversity. The interpretation largely depends on the specific context.