demonism

American  

[dee-muh-niz-uhm] / ˈdi məˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. belief in demons.

2. the study of demons; demonology.

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demonism British  

/ ˈdiːməˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. 1. belief in the existence and power of demons

   2. worship of demons

2. another word for demonology

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Other Word Forms

• demonist noun

Etymology

Origin of demonism

First recorded in 1690–1700; demon- + -ism

Example Sentences

Insinuating an element of demonism into the interpretation of ordinary life justifies the word and the concept “horrible”, and retaliation in kind, whence all those guns.

From The Guardian

But paradoxically, many women do regularly find attractive the cluster of qualities and behaviors—successful aggression, dominance and displays of dominance—associated with male demonism.

From Scientific American

He favors, as an article in the journal Postmodern Culture suggested, “wrongness, ceremony and a bit of demonism.”

From New York Times

See through the eyes of the doting parents, who look past the signs of demonism - the pentagram birthmark and grasping claws - to find a flawless little boy.

From Washington Times

In Jonathan Church's breathtaking revival, it gets a performance of memorable comic demonism from Henry Goodman.

From The Guardian