as in amulet
something worn or kept to bring good luck or keep away evil
he wore a small phylactery on a cord around his neck
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Recent Examples of phylactery
Under the chin was the amulet, also known as a phylactery, likely worn around the person's neck.
—
Max Hauptman, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Known as a phylactery, this type of amulet served as a kind of container to hold objects believed to be imbued with magical properties that were intended to protect the wearer.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Popular images of Jewish men worshiping at the wall in prayer shawls and phylacteries show only a small stretch of the ancient retaining wall for the Temple Mount.
—David M. Halbfinger, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2017
Max Hauptman, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Known as a phylactery, this type of amulet served as a kind of container to hold objects believed to be imbued with magical properties that were intended to protect the wearer.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Popular images of Jewish men worshiping at the wall in prayer shawls and phylacteries show only a small stretch of the ancient retaining wall for the Temple Mount.
—David M. Halbfinger, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phylactery
Noun
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Even his name held magic, being the Kikongo word for amulet or charm.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Jan. 2026
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Shop the amulet charm collection here.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
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But Wawrinka, who won his singles rubber against France’s Arthur Rinderknech 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) in the previous round-robin to put Switzerland in with a chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals, remained a talisman for the team even in a close defeat.—
The Athletic Tennis Staff,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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Such talismans blended Africa and the Americas, bringing together old and new practices, beliefs, and objects.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Phylactery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phylactery. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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