satanism

noun, often capitalized

sa·tan·ism | \ ˈsā-tə-ˌni-zəm

How to pronounce satanism (audio)

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Definition of satanism

1 : innate wickedness

2 : obsession with or affinity for evil specifically : worship of Satan marked by the travesty of Christian rites

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Examples of satanism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hardin and Clark, who were exonerated in 2017 of a murder Handy falsely linked to satanism, also have filed lawsuits against the city. — Andrew Wolfson, The Courier-Journal, "Ex-LMPD detective refuses to testify about framing multiple men for murders," 6 Aug. 2019 Dana sprinkles in remarks about her past — her dabbling in satanism, for instance — that complicate our trust. — Charles Mcnulty, latimes.com, "Review: In Lucas Hnath's 'Dana H.,' a kidnapping survivor's truth hides in the shadows," 3 June 2019 By the time panic around satanism subsided in the early 90s, about 190 people nationwide had been charged with the ritual abuse of children, often those who worked in child day care. — Ryan Smith, Chicago Reader, "News / Paranormal / Religion Chicago police ‘satanic panic’ document from the 80s goes viral," 8 May 2018 The satanic panic crested in 1988, when talk-show gadfly Geraldo Rivera aired Exposing Satan's Underground, a two-hour exposé on the dangers of satanism. — Ryan Smith, Chicago Reader, "News / Paranormal / Religion Chicago police ‘satanic panic’ document from the 80s goes viral," 8 May 2018 An upside-down star inside a circle is widely believed to represent evil or satanism. — Ken Brown, Cincinnati.com, "'Have some respect for people': Satanic symbol drawn on cemetery grounds," 2 May 2018 In the early days of the investigation, clues were sparse, rumors were rampant and fear of satanism spread through the community of around 400. — Max Londberg, kansascity, "Beyond ‘Satanic Panic’: Agent has theory on 30-year mystery of missing Kansas teen | The Kansas City Star," 8 Apr. 2018 Some community members accused Randy’s peers of practicing satanism. — Max Londberg, kansascity, "Beyond ‘Satanic Panic’: Agent has theory on 30-year mystery of missing Kansas teen | The Kansas City Star," 8 Apr. 2018 The panel also heard allegations of satanism from an employee with Beyer & Beitel Mortuary Services, which embalmed Julie Mott for Mission Park. — Elizabeth Zavala, San Antonio Express-News, "Couple get $8 million for loss of daughter’s body from San Antonio funeral home," 13 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'satanism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Satanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/satanism. Accessed 26 Feb. 2020.

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