DEISM Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

deism

noun

Definition of deism

as in paganism

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of deism This vague gesture in the direction of deism has no antecedent in the book, no moral or theological trajectory to make Bambi’s insight meaningful or satisfying. — Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2022 Those intuitions usually commended a staid deism and scorn for those whose beliefs extended any further. — Jeffrey Collins, WSJ, 12 Mar. 2021 These concepts readily passed from Rousseau’s sentimental deism, to Hegel’s doctrine of world-historical progress, to Marx, and to progressivism today. — John D. Hagen, National Review, 20 Aug. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deism

Noun

There are still remnants of the Gauls in the modern French language, including the words for country and paganism, INRAP president Dominique Garcia pointed out.

— CBS News, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
To Europeans, the binary of civility and savagery paralleled that of Christianity and paganism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Feb. 2026

Definition of paganism

Noun

Other information voters should know Peyton grew up in Kansas City and is working toward a master’s degree in theology.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
The board is made up of experts in several fields, including philosophy, engineering, enterprise AI, theology and higher education.

— Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of theology

Noun

For all its moral and political weight, monotheism is surprisingly hard to pin down.

— Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026
Stasevska was born in 1984, the same year that Glass’ hypnotic, ritualistic opera, about an Egyptian pharaoh who dared to push monotheism onto his polytheistic culture, debuted in Stuttgart, Germany.

— Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026

Definition of monotheism

Noun

The faith codes included dozens of highly specific Christian denominations, as well as groups such as Ásatrú, which honors Norse gods; Eckankar, which emphasizes soul travel, dreams, and past-life study; and the Troth, a form of Germanic polytheism.

— Sophie Hills, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Apr. 2026
As Jewish identity crystallized during and after the Babylonian exile, polytheism remained an enduring temptation.

— Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026

Definition of polytheism

Noun

Experts cite Iran's doctrine of irregular warfare, limited conventional projection capabilities, and the strong US/coalition presence in the region.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
The majority opinion, delivered by Justice Horace Gray, stated in no uncertain terms the dangers of pivoting from the Fourteenth Amendment’s jus soli doctrine to jus sanguinis citizenship.

— Claire Ke, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026

Definition of doctrine

Noun

The dogma has it that what California is doing today, the rest of the United States will be doing tomorrow; and, of course, whatever the United States is doing tomorrow, the whole world will be doing the day after.

— Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
The assertion, if true, would overturn decades of cosmic dogma.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 9 July 2026

Definition of dogma

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“Deism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deism. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of deism

noun

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