totemism
noun
to·tem·ism
ˈtō-tə-ˌmi-zəm 
Examples of totemism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The musical totemism by which postwar youth consolidated their identities through affiliation with some genre or other was as real as any other social fact.
—
Justin E. H. Smith, Harper's Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023
Call it shamanism, call it totemism, call it idolatry.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2022
Social media has precipitated new types of totemism — the work of what being a fan means has been questioned, particularly after a death.
—Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2020
There is no reason to believe that months later politicians have become more interested in scientific evidence, as opposed to totemism.
—Matthew Walther, TheWeek, 14 Nov. 2020
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Justin E. H. Smith, Harper's Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023
Call it shamanism, call it totemism, call it idolatry.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2022
Social media has precipitated new types of totemism — the work of what being a fan means has been questioned, particularly after a death.
—Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2020
There is no reason to believe that months later politicians have become more interested in scientific evidence, as opposed to totemism.
—Matthew Walther, TheWeek, 14 Nov. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Totemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totemism. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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