mysticism
noun
mys·ti·cism
ˈmi-stə-ˌsi-zəm 
2
: the belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality can be attained through subjective experience (such as intuition or insight)
3
a
: vague speculation : a belief without sound basis
b
: a theory postulating the possibility of direct and intuitive acquisition of ineffable knowledge or power
Examples of mysticism in a Sentence
Jewish, Christian, and Islamic mysticism.
a student of Eastern mysticism
Recent Examples on the Web
Bodies are too small to encompass more than a sole inhabitant, except in rare cases of mysticism or possession (or the more familiar but no less astounding case of pregnancy).
—
Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024
David often invokes the ecstatic mysticism of religious devotion as a metaphor for the candidate’s hold on his supporters.
—Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2024
In a narrative woven with the threads of mysticism and peril, Aang's band must outmaneuver not only the mystical forces at play but also withstand Fire Lord Ozai's tyranny, with Zuko loyally by his side.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
But West, listed as a director of Rising Light Group, dismisses any suggestion that religion or mysticism has seeped into the scientific research on the Younger Dryas impact hypothesis.
—Zach St. George, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024
As Harrison’s wife, Boyd was there when the Beatles went through the frenzy of Beatlemania, the journeys of psychedelia and mysticism and the crumbling of their partnership.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Mexican mysticism, inflected by pre-Columbian and Catholic cultures, informs much of the work.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
Unlike most of Godzilla’s adversaries and allies, Mothra isn’t the result of science gone wrong but of mysticism.
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2023
This time around, an air of psychedelic mysticism presides over everything, inspired, Weatherford has suggested, by NASA photography and trips to the Hayden Planetarium.
—The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2024
Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024
David often invokes the ecstatic mysticism of religious devotion as a metaphor for the candidate’s hold on his supporters.
—Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2024
In a narrative woven with the threads of mysticism and peril, Aang's band must outmaneuver not only the mystical forces at play but also withstand Fire Lord Ozai's tyranny, with Zuko loyally by his side.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
But West, listed as a director of Rising Light Group, dismisses any suggestion that religion or mysticism has seeped into the scientific research on the Younger Dryas impact hypothesis.
—Zach St. George, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024
As Harrison’s wife, Boyd was there when the Beatles went through the frenzy of Beatlemania, the journeys of psychedelia and mysticism and the crumbling of their partnership.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Mexican mysticism, inflected by pre-Columbian and Catholic cultures, informs much of the work.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
Unlike most of Godzilla’s adversaries and allies, Mothra isn’t the result of science gone wrong but of mysticism.
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2023
This time around, an air of psychedelic mysticism presides over everything, inspired, Weatherford has suggested, by NASA photography and trips to the Hayden Planetarium.
—The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mysticism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mysticism
Cite this Entry
“Mysticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mysticism. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mysticism
noun
mys·ti·cism
ˈmis-tə-ˌsiz-əm
1
: the experience of mystical union or direct communication with God
2
: the belief that direct knowledge of God or of spiritual truth can be achieved through deep meditation
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