spiritualism

noun

spir·​i·​tu·​al·​ism ˈspir-i-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce spiritualism (audio)
-i-chə-ˌli-,
-ich-wə-ˌli-
1
: the view that spirit is a prime element of reality
2
a
: a belief that spirits of the dead communicate with the living usually through a medium
b
capitalized : a movement comprising religious organizations emphasizing spiritualism
spiritualist
ˈspir-i-chə-wə-list How to pronounce spiritualism (audio)
-i-chə-list
-ich-wə-list
noun often capitalized
spiritualistic
ˌspir-i-chə-wə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce spiritualism (audio)
-i-chə-ˈli-
-ich-wə-ˈli-
adjective

Examples of spiritualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Though men also engaged with fortune-telling and spiritualism, women remained the popular image of the practice. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024 The combination of cultural individualism, industrialization, and technological advance created a cultural moment in which audiences were open to and actively explored the idea of unseen forces (hey, if telegraph and photography worked, why not mesmerism, spiritualism, or palm-reading?). The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024 Crookes became one of the leading advocates for spiritualism. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 Learn about spiritualism, mesmerism and phrenology. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spiritualism 

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spiritualism was in 1749

Dictionary Entries Near spiritualism

Cite this Entry

“Spiritualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiritualism. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

spiritualism

noun
spir·​i·​tu·​al·​ism ˈspir-ich-(ə-)wə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce spiritualism (audio)
-ich-ə-ˌliz-
: a belief that the spirits of the dead communicate with the living
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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