esotericism
noun
es·o·ter·i·cism
ˌe-sə-ˈter-ə-ˌsi-zəm 
-ˈte-rə-
1
: esoteric doctrines or practices
2
: the quality or state of being esoteric
Examples of esotericism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For the most part my efforts at sculpting a musical identity were fueled by an esotericism that disdained common and easily accessible genres.
—
Justin E. H. Smith, Harper's Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023
For the most part my efforts at sculpting a musical identity were fueled by an esotericism that disdained common and easily accessible genres.
—Justin E. H. Smith, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
None of this is a problem in and of itself, but a little esotericism goes a long way — and Gallardo isn’t exactly of the opinion that less is more in that department.
—Michael Nordine, Variety, 14 Feb. 2022
Occult practices melded with culturally blurry techniques of meditating and altering consciousness, and the roots of the esotericism that would eventually be known as New Age took hold.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 24 May 2021
Peralta learned Andean esotericism from his abuela, who was a medicine woman.
—Lola Méndez, refinery29.com, 17 Aug. 2020
In 1533, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa of Nettersheim, a young German nobleman, authored a groundbreaking work on different approaches to esotericism.
—Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 26 Mar. 2018
This started to take effect even before the Internet took off, on account of crate-digging, esotericism and obscurantism, and the burgeoning reissue industry.
—Bruce Sterling, WIRED, 2 Sep. 2011
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Justin E. H. Smith, Harper's Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023
For the most part my efforts at sculpting a musical identity were fueled by an esotericism that disdained common and easily accessible genres.
—Justin E. H. Smith, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
None of this is a problem in and of itself, but a little esotericism goes a long way — and Gallardo isn’t exactly of the opinion that less is more in that department.
—Michael Nordine, Variety, 14 Feb. 2022
Occult practices melded with culturally blurry techniques of meditating and altering consciousness, and the roots of the esotericism that would eventually be known as New Age took hold.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 24 May 2021
Peralta learned Andean esotericism from his abuela, who was a medicine woman.
—Lola Méndez, refinery29.com, 17 Aug. 2020
In 1533, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa of Nettersheim, a young German nobleman, authored a groundbreaking work on different approaches to esotericism.
—Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 26 Mar. 2018
This started to take effect even before the Internet took off, on account of crate-digging, esotericism and obscurantism, and the burgeoning reissue industry.
—Bruce Sterling, WIRED, 2 Sep. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Esotericism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esotericism. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share