messianism

noun

mes·​si·​a·​nism ˈme-sē-ə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce messianism (audio)
mə-ˈsī-ə-, 
me-
1
: belief in a messiah as the savior of humankind
2
: religious devotion to an ideal or cause

Examples of messianism 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.
What about trying to win by winning, rather than win by some act of tactical messianism. — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 17 Mar. 2026 Political messianism is a style of leadership that places great faith in a single leader who is endowed with godlike attributes. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026 American Jews must not stand by as Israel descends into authoritarianism and messianism which are doing irreversible, generational damage. — Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Sun Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024 Writers and thinkers in America’s privileged classes resurrected, to some profit, the political messianism that their European counterparts had abandoned. — Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for messianism

Word History

Etymology

French messianisme, from messie messiah + -anisme (as in christianisme Christianity)

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of messianism was in 1867

Rhymes for messianism

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Browse Nearby Words

messianic
messianism
messianist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on messianism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about messianism

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