theism

1 of 2

noun

the·​ism ˈthē-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce theism (audio)
Synonyms of theismnext
: belief in the existence of a god or gods
specifically : belief in the existence of one God viewed as the creative source of the human race and the world who transcends yet is immanent in the world
theistic
thē-ˈi-stik How to pronounce theism (audio)
adjective
or less commonly theistical
thē-ˈi-sti-kəl How to pronounce theism (audio)
theistically
thē-ˈi-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce theism (audio)
adverb

theistic

2 of 2

adjective

the·​is·​tic thēˈistik How to pronounce theistic (audio)
-tēk
variants or less commonly theistical
-tə̇kəl How to pronounce theistic (audio)
-tēk-
: of or relating to theism or a theist : believing in theism
theistically
-tə̇k(ə)lē How to pronounce theistic (audio)
-tēk-, 
-li
adverb

Examples of theism 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.
Noun
And that’s just for starters on theism of some Founding Fathers. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026 Thoreau moves fluidly between the two, shuttling between the divine and the here-and-now, between theism and materialism. — Longreads, 13 July 2017 But the revered text affirmed a generic theism – belief in a creator god – without mentioning Jesus or Christianity. — Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026 Some theologians seemed to reject traditional notions of theism, even arguing that Jesus should be seen more as a human role model than an actual deity. — Joseph Berger, New York Times, 29 June 2017 Another frequent topic of disbelief among Edge responders was theism and its anti-science offshoots---in particular the belief in intelligent design, and the belief that the Earth is only a few thousand years old. — Jennifer Welsh, Discover Magazine, 23 Nov. 2010 The Chinese Communists aren’t trying to extirpate every last trace of theism, thereby inviting the undivided opposition of religious believers and institutions (as the Soviets did with regard to John Paul II’s Vatican). — Cameron Hilditch, National Review, 21 Feb. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1678, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of theism was in 1678

Rhymes for theism

See All Rhymes for theism

Browse Nearby Words

theirselves
theism
theist
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

theism

noun
the·​ism ˈthē-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce theism (audio)
: belief in the existence of God as creator and ruler of the universe
theist
ˈthē-əst How to pronounce theism (audio)
noun
theistic
thē-ˈis-tik How to pronounce theism (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on theism

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for theism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about theism

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