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Syncretism: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Syncretism noun. The blending of different religions, cultures or schools of thought into a new whole.
How to say it
SING-krih-tiz-um/ˈsɪŋkrɪtɪz(ə)m/
4 syllables, stressed on the first (SING). Forms: syncretic.
Syncretism in a sentence
The village festival is a syncretism of harvest rites and saints' days.
Linguists also talk of syncretism when two grammatical forms merge into one.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- fusion
- blending
- amalgamation
- synthesis
Opposite:
- separation
- purism
Where syncretism comes from
From Greek synkrētismos, a union of Cretans; Plutarch used it of quarrelling Cretans joining against a common foe.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Linguists also talk of _____ when two grammatical forms merge into one.
- ethics
- conscience
- syncretism
Show the answer
syncretism: Linguists also talk of syncretism when two grammatical forms merge into one.