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presentist

American  
[prez-uhn-tist] / ˈprɛz ən tɪst /

noun

Theology.
  1. a person who maintains that the prophecies in the Apocalypse are now being fulfilled.


Etymology

Origin of presentist

First recorded in 1875–80; present 1 + -ist

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.

This may be done from the best of motives, but it is shortsighted in the extreme — you might even say presentist.

From Washington Post • Aug. 29, 2022

A presentist approach concerns itself with the present concerns of philosophy and holds past philosophers to present standards.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

“We can’t be presentist about this particular crime. That twinned marginalization is important to understand.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2021

He’s wrong, of course—but this whole mess should be quite instructive to anyone who wants to avoid the presentist trap of projecting motives onto a huge and diverse group of people who are long gone.

From Slate • May 2, 2018

Another group argues that all historical films are presentist — they use the past to illuminate modern conundrums.

From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2017

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