supernaturalism

noun

su·​per·​nat·​u·​ral·​ism ˌsü-pər-ˈna-chə-rə-ˌli-zəm 

-ˈnach-rə-

1

: the quality or state of being supernatural

2

: belief in a supernatural power and order of existence

supernaturalist

ˌsü-pər-ˈna-chə-rə-list 

-ˈnach-rə-

noun or adjective

supernaturalistic

ˌsü-pər-ˌna-chə-rə-ˈli-stik 

-ˌnach-rə-

adjective

Examples of supernaturalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But a secular critique might say, well, good riddance to religion, to obscurantism, to supernaturalism. —Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025

But consider for a moment the nature of those early modern supernaturalisms. —James Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024

Capturing that movement required a fusion of political didacticism, unabashed melodrama, stage supernaturalism and sitcom beats. —New York Times, 30 Nov. 2021

Nowhere do the authors of the paper define just what supernaturalism is supposed to mean. —Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2010

Like Paine before him, Dr. Dawkins has done a great job of expunging the tenets of supernaturalism from his mind. —Wired Letters Department, WIRED, 1 Dec. 2006

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for supernaturalism

• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism
• anticommunism
• antisemitism
• antiterrorism
• bioterrorism
• colloquialism
• colonialism
• consequentialism
• contextualism
• conventionalism