occultism

noun

Definition of occultismnext
as in spiritualism

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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 occultism In modern pop culture, vampires have strayed away from occultism and are often depicted through a Christian lens, being repelled by crucifixes and sunlight. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 The transformation of Tarocchi into a divinatory tool began in the late 18th century, driven by the rise of occultism in France. — Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026 Pynchon’s daunting masterpiece, a white whale of a Great American Novel, is stuffed with pun-tastic songs, rocket science and World War II-era occultism. — John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025 The relationship between the Nazis and the occult wasn’t black or white, but according to historian Eric Kurlander, Nazism and various branches of occultism became noticeably intertwined almost immediately after the founding of the National Socialist German Workers Party in 1919. — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for occultism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occultism
  1. spiritualism
  2. witchcraft
  3. sorcery
  4. necromancy
Noun
  • And that scene is playing on a very tried and true form of spiritualism.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 May 2026
  • Our late colleague Asher Peres, someone with little respect for spiritualism, once met someone of the opposite persuasion.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of spiritualism
Noun
  • That feeling is only intensified by Xang’s under-his-breath threats and twisted meditations that come across more like free-car witchcraft.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026
  • Starring Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed, the film tells the story of Urbain Grandier, a 17th-century Catholic priest who was burned at the stake over accusations of witchcraft.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 June 2026
Definition of witchcraft
Noun
  • Come to Eternia, the mythical home of flying dragon-like creatures, and swords, and sorcery, and spaceships — really, all the stuff a 12-year-old science fiction fanatic loves.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2026
  • Directed by Travis Knight and based on the Mattel media franchise, the sword-and-sorcery epic stars Nicholas Galitzine alongside Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, and Idris Elba, launching in over 300 locations on Wednesday June 3.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 June 2026
Definition of sorcery
Noun
  • The movie, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary on May 3, showed us how to use our magic and morals to decide whether to embrace necromancy and the occult.
    — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
  • Hedva’s practice cooks magic, necromancy, and divination together with mystical states of fury and ecstasy, and political states of solidarity and disintegration.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Definition of necromancy

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Cite this Entry

“Occultism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occultism. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on occultism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about occultism

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