religionism

American  

[ri-lij-uh-niz-uhm] / rɪˈlɪdʒ əˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. excessive or exaggerated religious zeal.

2. affected or pretended religious zeal.

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religionism British  

/ rɪˈlɪdʒəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. extreme religious fervour

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Other Word Forms

• antireligionist noun
• religionist noun
• religionistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of religionism

First recorded in 1785–95; religion + -ism

Example Sentences

The austerity of his manners frightens his old father, who can little comprehend the religionism of the new school.

From The Newcomes Memoirs of a Most Respectable Family by Thackeray, William Makepeace

His doctrine of the Church had the disadvantage of an apparently intermediate and ambiguous position, refusing the broad, intelligible watchwords and reasonings of popular religionism.

From The Oxford Movement Twelve Years, 1833-1845 by Church, R. W. (Richard William)

On the other hand, exclusive religionism has too much consciousness of secret sympathy with its avowed antipodes, to enjoy itself much better.

From Brook Farm Historic and Personal Memoirs by Codman, John Thomas

It seeks not, therefore, the applause of men; and it shrinks from that spurious religionism whose prominent characters are talk, and pretension, and external observance, often accompanied by uncharitable censure.

From The Philosophy of the Moral Feelings by Abercrombie, John

I do not suppose that much of our modern religionism is in great danger from too fervid emotion.

From Expositions of Holy Scripture Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Minor Prophets. St Matthew Chapters I to VIII by Maclaren, Alexander