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Synonyms

occultism

American  
[uh-kuhl-tiz-uhm] / əˈkʌl tɪz əm /

noun

  1. belief in the existence of secret, mysterious, or supernatural agencies.

  2. the study or practice of occult arts.


occultism British  
/ ˈɒkʌlˌtɪzəm /

noun

  1. belief in and the study and practice of magic, astrology, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of occultism

First recorded in 1880–85; occult + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

At Halloween, the focus is on death, occultism and nightmares.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 29, 2023

“Angels become a very big deal” for long-time practitioners who’ve made occultism their primary focus, said Hunter, an angel-loving occultist.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 29, 2023

Hats off to DiBlasi and his co-writer, Scott Poiley, for being so ambitious with genre; they serve cultism, occultism, a monster, a ghost, comedy, sci-fi and family drama.

From New York Times ● Jun. 23, 2023

Smashing Pumpkins’ forthcoming album, “Cyr,” out Friday, is a roving 20-song double album that courses with currents of ’80s synth-pop and darkwave occultism — tailored most fittingly for the darkest days of the year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 24, 2020

She saw herself back in New York, faltering under the power of Bellingham; swayed by those specialists, Reifferscheid in books, Madame Nestor in occultism; and, above all blame-worthily, by Selma Cross of the passions.

From She Buildeth Her House by William Wistar Comfort

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