Definition of polytheism
: belief in or worship of more than one god
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Recent Examples of polytheism from the Web
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The result was the synthesis of polytheism with Catholicism, and the creation of Santeria and Espiritismo.
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Both books trace the gradual emergence of monotheism from a background of polytheism.
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Judaism, Christianity and polytheism—and rife with religious conflict.
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Islamic State has even demolished some mosques, saying they were used to venerate saints, which Islamic State considers a form of polytheism.
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For example: asceticism (11) and hedonism (90); lack of religiousness (118), Christianity (32), and polytheism (157); militarism (135) and loss of army discipline (125).
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Muslims traditionally go and visit the tombs and sometimes pray at them, a practice the militants loathe as a form of polytheism, revering someone other than God.
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Muslims traditionally go and visit the tombs and sometimes pray at them, a practice the militants loathe as a form of polytheism, revering someone other than God.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polytheism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of polytheism
French polytheisme, from Late Greek polytheos polytheistic, from Greek, of many gods, from poly- + theos god
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra
POLYTHEISM Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of polytheism for English Language Learners
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: the belief that there is more than one god
Learn More about polytheism
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See words that rhyme with polytheism Spanish Central: Translation of polytheism Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polytheism
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