variants
also fetiches
1
as in obsessions
something about which one is constantly thinking or concerned
dieting seems to be a fetish with some people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in talismans
something worn or kept to bring good luck or keep away evil
an archaeologist discovering an old animal tooth that may have been worn as a fetish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of fetishes
Here, the sado-sensual yearning of the Confederacy to instantiate itself through the fetishes and reliquaries of figurative sculpture is shown as hollow, impotent, all too discomfiting, and very real.
—
Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
Studies show the online dating space is less welcoming for Black women willing to try it — experiences include misogynoir, racial fetishes and microaggressions, in addition to biased dating app algorithms that leave many feeling invisible, less desirable and lonely.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
Studies show the online dating space is less welcoming for Black women willing to try it — experiences include misogynoir, racial fetishes and microaggressions, in addition to biased dating app algorithms that leave many feeling invisible, less desirable and lonely.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
In addition, the creation of the fetishes, with their bits of bone, dirt, plants, and other objects, also unnerved enslavers and colonists.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
The titillating drama explores the complexities of dominant-submissive relationships and fetishes, as Ray gets aroused by making Colin lick his boots, buy his groceries and sleep at the foot of his bed.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
Studies show the online dating space is less welcoming for Black women willing to try it — experiences include misogynoir, racial fetishes and microaggressions, in addition to biased dating app algorithms that leave many feeling invisible, less desirable and lonely.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
Studies show the online dating space is less welcoming for Black women willing to try it — experiences include misogynoir, racial fetishes and microaggressions, in addition to biased dating app algorithms that leave many feeling invisible, less desirable and lonely.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
In addition, the creation of the fetishes, with their bits of bone, dirt, plants, and other objects, also unnerved enslavers and colonists.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
The titillating drama explores the complexities of dominant-submissive relationships and fetishes, as Ray gets aroused by making Colin lick his boots, buy his groceries and sleep at the foot of his bed.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fetishes
Noun
-
Current obsessions include the latest Twilight Sad release.—
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
8 May 2026
-
Eileen is Hathaway perfectly in the pocket with her obsessions as a performer, melding her gifts for the exquisite and the dark while building a character who is never easy to pin down to a simple motive.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
In the dying days of the Russian Empire, highborn ladies would willingly cut the dirty fingernails of the peasant Grigori Rasputin and then sew the clippings onto their dresses like sacred talismans.—
Gerard DeGroot,
Air Mail,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Lemann, like the talkative older ladies of her youth, clutches the motifs of her past like talismans.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sharp objects like scissors and needles or amulets should be carried by pregnant women or placed near sleeping children to ward off her attacks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 May 2026
-
The text also suggests wearing amulets that bring blessings and aid the transference of consciousness.—
Jue Liang,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fetishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fetishes. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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