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Synonyms

quietism

American  
[kwahy-i-tiz-uhm] / ˈkwaɪ ɪˌtɪz əm /

noun

  1. a form of religious mysticism taught by Molinos, a Spanish priest, in the latter part of the 17th century, requiring extinction of the will, withdrawal from worldly interests, and passive meditation on God and divine things; Molinism.

  2. some similar form of religious mysticism.

  3. mental or bodily repose or passivity.


quietism British  
/ ˈkwaɪəˌtɪzəm /

noun

  1. a form of religious mysticism originating in Spain in the late 17th century, requiring withdrawal of the spirit from all human effort and complete passivity to God's will

  2. a state of passivity and calmness of mind towards external events

"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 quietism

First recorded in 1680–90, quietism is from the Italian word quietismo originally, prayer in a state of quietude. See quiet, -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.

Yet what he evokes even more keeningly is a rage he finds almost welcome in a land known for its quietism and restraint.

From New York Times • Dec. 26, 2017

Diana was more aggressive, the clamorous defender of quietism.

From The New Yorker • May 22, 2017

To acknowledge this fact is not to call for quietism.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2017

Ames represented a certain "quietism" that was little represented – indeed, it was paradoxical to have him as the narrator of a bestselling novel, as he would flinch from advertising his faith.

From The Guardian • May 18, 2012

The people responded by withdrawal into political quietism and/or private vices.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro

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