messianic

adjective

mes·​si·​an·​ic ˌme-sē-ˈa-nik 

1

: of or relating to a messiah

this messianic kingdom

2

: marked by idealism and an aggressive crusading spirit

messianic zeal

on a messianic mission

Examples of messianic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That sort of rhetoric might land better coming from a more traditional teachers union focused mainly on the classroom, but not from this messianic group of ultra-leftists. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025

The ayatollahs have deprived the country of a prosperous civil society, channelling resources instead into militarism and messianic fantasy. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025

By contrast, Israel’s unplanned war in Gaza has seen no such resolution and steadily devolved into a messianic power grab by Israel’s far right. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025

That year, Simon bar Kochba, a messianic guerrilla chief, led a popular uprising — the third and final war between the Jewish people and the empire. —Franz Lidz, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from French messianique, from messianisme

First Known Use

circa 1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for messianic

• aldermanic
• inorganic
• magellanic
• oceanic
• pozzolanic
• talismanic
• transuranic
• bannock
• laennec
• manic
• panic
• stannic