theism

[ thee-iz-uhm ]

See synonyms for: theism theistic theist on Thesaurus.com

noun

the belief in one God as the creator and ruler of the universe, without rejection of revelation (distinguished from deism).
belief in the existence of a god or gods (opposed to atheism).

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Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

Origin of theism

First recorded in 1670–80; the- + -ism

Other words from theism

the·ist [thee-ist], /ˈθi ɪst/, noun, adjective
the·is·tic, the·is·ti·cal, adjective
the·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb
non·the·is·tic, adjective
non·the·is·ti·cal, adjective
non·the·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb
un·the·is·tic, adjective
un·the·is·ti·cal, adjective
un·the·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with theism

atheist, deist, theist

Words Nearby theism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use theism in a sentence

“Maybe we need a new category other than theism, atheism or agnosticism that takes paradox and unknowing into account,” he writes.
Frank Schaeffer, the Atheist Who Believes in God | Nick Tabor | August 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But his theism does clarify some of the tension between his work and popular atheism.
People Are Born with Religious Belief Argues New Book | Jesse Singal | March 28, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Hume and Holbach had much in common intellectually, although the latter was far more thoroughgoing in his repudiation of theism.
Baron d'Holbach | Max Pearson Cushing
Honestly to be of service to theism the God established must be a person.
Theism or Atheism | Chapman Cohen
In all discussions of theism there is one point that is usually overlooked.
Theism or Atheism | Chapman Cohen

In work after work dealing with theism one looks in vain for some definition of "God."
Theism or Atheism | Chapman Cohen
In his championship of theism our scientist forgets his science.
Theism or Atheism | Chapman Cohen

British Dictionary definitions for theism

theism

/ (ˈθiːɪzəm) /

noun

the form of the belief in one God as the transcendent creator and ruler of the universe that does not necessarily entail further belief in divine revelation: Compare deism
the belief in the existence of a God or gods: Compare atheism

Origin of theism

C17: from Greek theos god + -ism

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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