Hellenistic

adjective

Hel·​le·​nis·​tic ˌhe-lə-ˈni-stik How to pronounce Hellenistic (audio)
1
: of or relating to Greek history, culture, or art after Alexander the Great
2
: of or relating to the Hellenists
Hellenistically
ˌhe-lə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce Hellenistic (audio)
adverb

Examples of Hellenistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Patrons didn’t need to know this statue was gasp Hellenistic instead. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Apr. 2026 This was in response to the flood of philosophical writings in the ancient Near East and Hellenistic world. — Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2025 The site was founded in the late Hellenistic period, between the second and first centuries BC, when it was used as a fortress. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025 In more recent years, though, there has been a countermovement to restore Paul to a more credible Hellenistic context. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Hellenistic

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hellenistic was in 1678

Rhymes for Hellenistic

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Hellenistic
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Cite this Entry

“Hellenistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hellenistic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Hellenistic

adjective
Hel·​le·​nis·​tic ˌhel-ə-ˈnis-tik How to pronounce Hellenistic (audio)
: of or relating to the widespread Greek-based culture that developed after the conquests of Alexander the Great
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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