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
Terrible and wonderful things happen to Jan, but there’s no Beat mysticism to lean upon and no performance.
—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
16 June 2026
Spielberg has spent time thinking about telepathy and mind control, about Catholic and other strains of religious mysticism, about the ways our capacity for cruelty sometimes overrides our impulse toward generosity.
—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
9 June 2026
Inspired by Greek mythology and other schools of mysticism, Hecate is a candlelit space meant to savor high-concept, theatrical cocktails that arrive in eccentric goblets and bowls.
—
Tanya Edwards,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
Then came last year’s The Most Dear and The Future, a slender collection of tracks that straddled a line between pop, ambient, folk, and dance with an air of rustic mysticism that seemed to travel through music circles like gossip bursting from localized containment.
—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mysticism
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Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
16 June 2026
Spielberg has spent time thinking about telepathy and mind control, about Catholic and other strains of religious mysticism, about the ways our capacity for cruelty sometimes overrides our impulse toward generosity.
—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
9 June 2026
Inspired by Greek mythology and other schools of mysticism, Hecate is a candlelit space meant to savor high-concept, theatrical cocktails that arrive in eccentric goblets and bowls.
—
Tanya Edwards,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
Then came last year’s The Most Dear and The Future, a slender collection of tracks that straddled a line between pop, ambient, folk, and dance with an air of rustic mysticism that seemed to travel through music circles like gossip bursting from localized containment.
—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mysticism
Cite this Entry
“Mysticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mysticism. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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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