spiritualism

noun

spir·​i·​tu·​al·​ism ˈspir-i-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce spiritualism (audio)
-i-chə-ˌli-,
-ich-wə-ˌli-
1
: the view that spirit is a prime element of reality
2
a
: a belief that spirits of the dead communicate with the living usually through a medium
b
capitalized : a movement comprising religious organizations emphasizing spiritualism
spiritualist
ˈspir-i-chə-wə-list How to pronounce spiritualism (audio)
-i-chə-list
-ich-wə-list
noun often capitalized
spiritualistic
ˌspir-i-chə-wə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce spiritualism (audio)
-i-chə-ˈli-
-ich-wə-ˈli-
adjective

Examples of spiritualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Yet even once those facts were laid bare, exposing the second murders as payback for the first, the weighty spiritualism and surreal imagery hung over the revelations unveiled in the last 15 minutes. Brian Lowry, CNN, 18 Feb. 2024 Perl is one of many creators offering these services online—with many building thriving businesses—and tapping into a long-running American tradition of spiritualism. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2024 Yeoh is satisfyingly mercenary and chilling as Ms. Reynolds, toeing the line between canny businesswoman and purveyor of spiritualism in a way that keeps us guessing. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 Sep. 2023 Still, that ineffable fascination with what lay beyond the body, whether it was rooted in spiritualism or magic, continued to press upon him. Seth Combs, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2023 And yet, by dint of where the show is taking place, that spiritualism is invited. Vanessa Friedman and Max Lakin, New York Times, 20 Oct. 2023 The artist tapped into pre-Columbian mythology, landscape and spiritualism to craft serpentine altars, glistening cenotes and stone portals. Renée Reizman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2023 Outdoing the rock ‘n’ roll decadence and global spiritualism of 1960s and ‘70s Hollywood that inspired it, The Californication House boasts interiors finished with green jade onyx, Roman titanium travertine and herringbone oak flooring and cedar ceilings. Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Oct. 2023 Savannah, along with other Southern cities, is home to many macabre tours that mix history and spiritualism. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spiritualism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spiritualism was in 1749

Dictionary Entries Near spiritualism

Cite this Entry

“Spiritualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiritualism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spiritualism

noun
spir·​i·​tu·​al·​ism ˈspir-ich-(ə-)wə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce spiritualism (audio)
-ich-ə-ˌliz-
: a belief that the spirits of the dead communicate with the living
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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