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View synonyms for superstition

superstition

[ soo-per-stish-uhn ]

noun

  1. a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like.
  2. a system or collection of such beliefs.
  3. a custom or act based on such a belief.
  4. irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, especially in connection with religion.
  5. any blindly accepted belief or notion.


superstition

/ ˌsuːpəˈstɪʃən /

noun

  1. irrational belief usually founded on ignorance or fear and characterized by obsessive reverence for omens, charms, etc
  2. a notion, act or ritual that derives from such belief
  3. any irrational belief, esp with regard to the unknown
“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


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Word History and Origins

Origin of superstition1

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin superstitiōn-, stem of superstitiō, from superstit-, stem of superstes “standing beyond, outliving” (from super- super- + -stes, combining form of stāre “to stand”) + -iō -ion
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Word History and Origins

Origin of superstition1

C15: from Latin superstitiō dread of the supernatural, from superstāre to stand still by something (as in amazement)
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Example Sentences

Writers were happy to note the superstition, either to goose it along or knock it down.

I believe that in America it’s very similar, except we’re not wobbling between science and superstition, but between science and suspicion, fueled by social media.

The problem is that our government sometimes wobbles between science and superstition.

Though I don’t follow many superstitions, I definitely won’t cut my hair.

From Time

It helps that baseball has always been a sport of strange superstitions, with no clock and long odds — where you never know if you’ll connect with the incoming fastball, but you swing anyway.

From Ozy

Darwin was among the many scientists that have helped society evolve out of mysticism, superstition and faith.

Yet superstition can also be, if my theology is correct, the first step in the other direction on that same road.

Tally one for the superstition list… no more laundry at night.

There is his superstition about watching every Red Sox game but never the sixth inning.

Superstition has it that playing the Man of Steel is a career killer.

It is beyond the comprehension of any man not blinded by superstition, not warped by prejudice and old-time convention.

I see no infinite goodness here, but only the infinite foolishness of sentimental superstition.

Buchanan the historian was, from his learning, thought in his days of superstition to be a wizard.

I believe that from the beginning of time the misery of the world has been caused by the superstition that love was all.

Organised and authoritative religion the world over makes for ignorance, for poverty and superstition.

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