Shiism

1 of 2

noun (1)

Shi·​ism ˈshē-ˌi-zəm 

: Islam as taught by the Shia

Shiʽism

2 of 2

noun (2)

Shiʽ·​ism

variants or Shiism

ˈshēˌizəm 

plural -s

: the religious system or distinctive tenets of the Shiʽa

Examples of Shiism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In Syria, an equivalent system existed under the Assad dynasty, in which rural Alawites (a heterodox sect that emerged from Shiism) dominated the security agencies that policed a Sunni majority. — Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026

Hamas, for example, is Sunni, and the Houthis of Yemen and Alawites of Syria practice forms of Shiism distinct from Iran’s. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025

In Twelver Shiism, these values touch many aspects of daily and communal life. — Massumeh H. Toosi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2025

Tehran's only hope is to form a proxy in the rubble of the regime among the Alawites (an offshoot of Shiism of which Assad was a part) or other Shia minorities. — Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

After the Safavid dynasty established Shiism as the official religion of Iran in the sixteenth century, Jews were more tolerated than embraced. — Ali M. Ansari, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2024

In the Red Sea, the Houthis, who are adherents of a variant of Shiism, have relentlessly attacked commercial shipping, provoking the United States and the United Kingdom to strike Houthi targets in Yemen. — Toby Matthiesen, Foreign Affairs, 9 Feb. 2024

Zaydi theology differs significantly from the main type of Shiism practiced in Iran and Lebanon, but throughout the years the Houthis have moved their religion closer to that of Iran, importing Iranian customs. — Nicolas Niarchos, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

shiʽa + -ism

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1883, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Shiism

• aneurysm
• threesome