animism
noun
an·i·mism
ˈa-nə-ˌmi-zəm 
1
: a doctrine that the vital principle of organic development is immaterial spirit
2
: attribution of conscious life to objects in and phenomena of nature or to inanimate objects
3
: belief in the existence of spirits separable from bodies
Examples of animism in a Sentence
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Although Buddhism is the leading religion in Thailand, and by proxy Thai Town, the cultivation of spirit houses and the offerings that go along with them actually originates from animism mixed with Brahmanism (an early form of Hinduism), which subsequently made its way into Buddhist beliefs.
—
Vanessa Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
In the past, Macfarlane has been careful to distance his thinking from animism, from the idea that the world is alive.
—Daegan Miller
june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
The ancient records don’t give a name, and Shinto is a form of animism that believes in countless gods that lie behind the forces of nature.
—Martin Fackler, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Even though Indonesia is a majority Muslim country, the locals practice Balinese Hinduism, which combines traditional Hinduism with animism, which is the belief that all things are animated and have a spiritual essence.
—Essence, 3 Mar. 2025
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Vanessa Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
In the past, Macfarlane has been careful to distance his thinking from animism, from the idea that the world is alive.
—Daegan Miller
june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
The ancient records don’t give a name, and Shinto is a form of animism that believes in countless gods that lie behind the forces of nature.
—Martin Fackler, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Even though Indonesia is a majority Muslim country, the locals practice Balinese Hinduism, which combines traditional Hinduism with animism, which is the belief that all things are animated and have a spiritual essence.
—Essence, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for animism
Cite this Entry
“Animism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animism. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
animism
noun
an·i·mism
ˈan-ə-ˌmiz-əm
1
: a doctrine that the vital principle of organic development is immaterial spirit
2
: attribution of conscious life to nature or natural objects
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