Satanism

[seyt-n-iz-uh m]

See more synonyms for Satanism on Thesaurus.com

noun

the worship of Satan or the powers of evil.
a travesty of Christian rites in which Satan is worshiped.
diabolical or satanic disposition, behavior, or activity.

Origin of Satanism

First recorded in 1555–65; Satan + -ism

Related formsSa·tan·ist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for satanism

witchcraft, magic, mysticism, necromancy, sorcery, voodoo, satanism, diabolism, witchery, wizardry, devilish, devilry, deviltry

Examples from the Web for satanism

Contemporary Examples of satanism

In this information vacuum, something had to feed the beast and, as Leveritt said, “Satanism beat skepticism.”
‘Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory’: Its Road to the Academy Awards
Lorenza Muñoz
February 22, 2012
“Basically, you have to be a Christian to believe in Satanism because you have to believe in the Devil,” he said.
Witches Blast O'Donnell
Ben Crair
September 20, 2010
We renounce idolatry, witchcraft, and Satanism in our land!
Rick Warren's Africa Problem
Max Blumenthal
January 7, 2009

Historical Examples of satanism

It had besides a fin de sicle flavouring of Satanism and decadence.
The Inferno
August Strindberg
Illuminism, Cabalism, and even Satanism are still realities.
Secret Societies And Subversive Movements
Nesta H. Webster
"For this, basically, is what Satanism is," said Durtal to himself.
L-bas
J. K. Huysmans
Now from lofty Mysticism to base Satanism there is but one step.
L-bas
J. K. Huysmans
Yes, for the time being I am up to my eyes in Satanism with that man.
L-bas
J. K. Huysmans

British Dictionary definitions for satanism

Satanism

noun

the worship of Satan
a form of such worship which includes blasphemous or obscene parodies of Christian prayers, etc
a satanic disposition or satanic practices

Derived FormsSatanist, noun, adjective

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

Word Origin and History for satanism

Satanism

1560s, "satanic disposition," from Satan + -ism. Applied 1820s-30s to the poetry of Byron, etc. Meaning "worship of Satan" dates from 1895, with reference to France, where it was said to be active at that time.