hermeneutic
noun
her·me·neu·tic
ˌhər-mə-ˈnü-tik 
-ˈnyü-
1
hermeneutics plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: the study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible)
2
: a method or principle of interpretation
a philosophical hermeneutic
Examples of hermeneutic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many practices of reading and scriptural hermeneutics associated with mysticism arose within the context of medieval Christianity, particularly monasticism.
—
Simon Critchley, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Likewise, reading old C code feels like engaging in the hermeneutics of ancient script, while Coq demands the exactitude of proving mathematical theorems.
—Sheon Han, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024
Alderman’s encyclopedic knowledge of everything from cryptographic history to biblical hermeneutics lends the novel a savvy, scholarly gravitas.
—Ian Wang, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2023
This is a position derived from the hermeneutics of Charles Taylor and Hans-Georg Gadamer.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 9 Sep. 2023
Instead of performing original research, these would-be scientists now practice the art of hermeneutics.
—Meghan O'Gieblyn, WIRED, 26 Feb. 2023
If Pope Francis can toss away the hermeneutic of continuity, on what basis can defenders of this pontificate oblige me to remain faithful to it?
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 15 Sep. 2021
The vast majority of priests who took up Benedict’s permission in 2007 also say the new Mass; no clearer demonstration can be made of their commitment to Benedict’s idea of the hermeneutic of continuity.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 15 Sep. 2021
Far from autofiction, their novels are as varied as their poems, with suspenseful plots and untrustworthy characters and an understanding that drama arises from bad hermeneutics—that is, misreading people.
—Ange Mlinko, The New York Review of Books, 10 Mar. 2020
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Simon Critchley, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Likewise, reading old C code feels like engaging in the hermeneutics of ancient script, while Coq demands the exactitude of proving mathematical theorems.
—Sheon Han, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024
Alderman’s encyclopedic knowledge of everything from cryptographic history to biblical hermeneutics lends the novel a savvy, scholarly gravitas.
—Ian Wang, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2023
This is a position derived from the hermeneutics of Charles Taylor and Hans-Georg Gadamer.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 9 Sep. 2023
Instead of performing original research, these would-be scientists now practice the art of hermeneutics.
—Meghan O'Gieblyn, WIRED, 26 Feb. 2023
If Pope Francis can toss away the hermeneutic of continuity, on what basis can defenders of this pontificate oblige me to remain faithful to it?
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 15 Sep. 2021
The vast majority of priests who took up Benedict’s permission in 2007 also say the new Mass; no clearer demonstration can be made of their commitment to Benedict’s idea of the hermeneutic of continuity.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 15 Sep. 2021
Far from autofiction, their novels are as varied as their poems, with suspenseful plots and untrustworthy characters and an understanding that drama arises from bad hermeneutics—that is, misreading people.
—Ange Mlinko, The New York Review of Books, 10 Mar. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Hermeneutic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hermeneutic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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