charismatic

adjective char·is·mat·ic \ ˌker-əz-ˈma-tik , ˌka-rəz- \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of charismatic

1 : having, exhibiting, or based on charisma or charism

charismatic sects

a charismatic leader

2 : of, relating to, or constituting charisma or charism

charismatic gifts

See charismatic defined for English-language learners

Examples of charismatic in a Sentence

He is a charismatic leader.
the cult's charismatic leader had managed to persuade seemingly rational people to obey him blindly

Recent Examples of charismatic from the Web

Hiring Spurrier, one of the most popular and charismatic coaches in the history of college football, certainly gives this new Orlando team a better chance than the old Orlando teams.

— mike bianchi, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Florida Gators legend Steve Spurrier named coach of Orlando's new pro football team," 7 Apr. 2018
Strong, charismatic, unifying leaders appeared to be nowhere in sight.

— The Economist, "Winnie Mandela died on April 2nd," 5 Apr. 2018
The powerful and charismatic Mr. Dixon more than compensated for any of the headliner’s shortcomings.

— noel murray, New York Times, "Review: In ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ an Old Story for (Yet Another) New Millennium," 2 Apr. 2018
Nirvana would reach No. 1 again with its 1993 follow-up, In Utero, but the band's career was cut short by the suicide of the charismatic but tortured Cobain on April 5, 1994.

— keith caulfield, Billboard, "Rewinding the Charts: In 1991, Nirvana's 'Nevermind' Dethroned the King of Pop," 11 Jan. 2018
Loyola is shining in this moment because players up and down its roster are charismatic and fun-loving.

— aaron reiss, kansascity, "'Good Friday just got better': Loyola's Sister Jean stars at the Final Four | The Kansas City Star," 30 Mar. 2018
The longtime international director of the church, Samuel Joaquín Flores — a charismatic and controversial figure in Mexico — wanted a church in Alaska and in Chile.

— devin kelly, Anchorage Daily News, "From inside the ‘wedding cake church’ in Midtown Anchorage, the faithful finally see progress," 25 Mar. 2018
Priebus didn't deliver on the Obamcare repeal front and Spicer became a point of fun, less than a feared or charismatic character, for his daily briefings.

— gregory krieg, CNN, "6 signs you're going to lose your White House job," 16 Mar. 2018
For the uninitiated, Bishop Carlton Pearson possessed a unique and charismatic preaching style that brought both black and white churchgoers to the Higher Dimensions Family Church in Tulsa, Okla., during the 1990s.

— andreas hale, The Root, "Chiwetel Ejiofor Delivers Oscar-Worthy Performance in Come Sunday at Sundance," 13 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'charismatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of charismatic

charisma

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1868

See Words from the same year

charismatic Synonyms

charismatic

noun

Definition of charismatic

plural charismatics

1 : a member of a religious group or movement that stresses the seeking of direct divine inspiration and charisms (such as glossolalia or healing)

2 : a person who possesses special traits that attract, inspire, or fascinate other people : a person possessing charisma

One of those people like Teddy Roosevelt or Mick Jagger. He was just one of those great charismatics who turned heads and dominated a room.
—Dan Aykroyd

Recent Examples of charismatic from the Web

Moore shows off her comic chops as the Happy Daysified supervillain, and Pascal is a charismatic onscreen presence even if his Texan accent occasionally falters.

— christopher orr, The Atlantic, "Kingsman: The Golden Circle Is More Farce Than Satire," 22 Sep. 2017
In Bernthal’s Castle, the franchise already has one charismatic, haunted antihero to enact his personal code on the world.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Defenders Proves Heroes Aren't Enough," 24 Aug. 2017