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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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 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 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 Beit El’s other concerns are small-scale by comparison: a factory for tefillin, or phylacteries; a bakeshop called Herby’s; and some workshops for aluminum and carpentry. Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phylactery
Noun
  • Among the subjects of the projects are a teen threesome in North Macedonia that leads to a troublesome pregnancy, a shipwreck hiding a sacred amulet on the Atlantic coast of the Sahara, a crumbling blue bus in 1950s Turkey, and mysterious aunt in rural Serbia.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
  • There are also equippable amulets that offer passive and combo-specific bonuses.
    Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • The Swedish talisman was not included in the travelling party for a tour of the Far East, which fuelled speculation and created some embarrassing moments for manager Eddie Howe.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • Vincent Tan, their owner since 2010, remains very much at the helm amid interest from not just the former Wales talisman’s consortium.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Phylactery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phylactery. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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