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
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s a lot of conceptual overlap here with animism, anthropologists’ (historically derogatory) term for a belief system that says everything is alive or imbued with spirit.
—
Sigal Samuel, Vox, 4 June 2024
Strands of atheist thought can be found in non-theistic traditions such as Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, as well cultures around the world that practice animism.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
Her work draws on talismans of animism and Christianity, suggesting the way those traditions overlapped and intermingled in Africa.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 7 July 2023
Though imagining our devices as some unknowable other may begin to take on the tone of new-age animism, it’s reflected in the work of writers like Kate Darling, who’ve argued that thinking of robots as animals might enable a more productive relationship with them.
—WIRED, 6 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for animism 
Sigal Samuel, Vox, 4 June 2024
Strands of atheist thought can be found in non-theistic traditions such as Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, as well cultures around the world that practice animism.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
Her work draws on talismans of animism and Christianity, suggesting the way those traditions overlapped and intermingled in Africa.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 7 July 2023
Though imagining our devices as some unknowable other may begin to take on the tone of new-age animism, it’s reflected in the work of writers like Kate Darling, who’ve argued that thinking of robots as animals might enable a more productive relationship with them.
—WIRED, 6 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for animism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'animism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Animism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animism. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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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