pietism

noun

pi·​e·​tism ˈpī-ə-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce pietism (audio)
1
capitalized : a 17th century religious movement originating in Germany in reaction to formalism and intellectualism and stressing Bible study and personal religious experience
2
a
: emphasis on devotional experience and practices
b
: affectation of devotion
pietist adjective or noun often capitalized

Examples of pietism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Republicans who had sympathized with the Trump administration’s early efforts to play down Covid-19 went back to pooh-poohing it, Democrats returned to their peculiar form of technocratic pietism. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 13 Feb. 2022 The Black Lives Matter hysteria induced an outpouring of self-lacerating racial-justice pietism from a media and corporate elite only too eager to moralize about the innate sinfulness of Americans. Gerard Baker, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2020 Even Gandhi’s own pietism, for all his protestations of love and friendship, could set Muslim nerves on edge. Ferdinand Mount, WSJ, 1 Nov. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pietism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pietism was in 1697

Dictionary Entries Near pietism

Cite this Entry

“Pietism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pietism. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

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