deism

noun

Definition of deismnext
as in paganism

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Example Sentences

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
  1. paganism
  2. theism
  3. pantheism
  4. theology
  5. monotheism
  6. polytheism
  7. doctrine
  8. dogma
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
  • But the revered text affirmed a generic theism – belief in a creator god – without mentioning Jesus or Christianity.
    — Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
  • And that’s just for starters on theism of some Founding Fathers.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of theism
Noun
  • However, some Druids—especially those who identify simultaneously as Christians—are monotheists, while still others subscribe to pantheism, atheism, and other perspectives on divinity.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In 1809, Friedrich’s budding pantheism landed him in hot water.
    — Zachary Fine, The New Yorker, 28 June 2024
Definition of pantheism
Noun
  • Sullivan said schools of theology are particularly good places to study the ethics of AI.
    — Yonat Shimron, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The puzzle of how to marry theology and extraterrestrial life predates the current surge in UAP disclosures.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Aug. 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
  • Courts developed the doctrine of successor liability precisely because asset buyers so often attempt to leave a seller’s obligations behind.
    — Camden Kaminsky, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Long before the official ban on private farming was lifted in 1982, peasants across China spontaneously reintroduced private ownership in defiance of socialist doctrine.
    — Rainer Zitelmann, Space.com, 11 Aug. 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
deisms
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Cite this Entry

“Deism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deism. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deism

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