Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
anthropolatry

anthropolatry

9.9
Worship of a person as a god
  • noun
  • /ˌænθrəˈpɑːlətri/
  • Specialized
translation icon : antropolatría
  • Debates about anthropolatry often reference the deification of pharaohs in ancient Egypt.

Examples

  • Throughout history, anthropolatry has arisen in cultures where rulers demand divine status.

  • The cult's anthropolatry was condemned by mainstream religious authorities.

  • Many cultures exhibit anthropolatry in their rituals.

  • The ancient Greeks practiced anthropolatry by worshipping their gods.

  • Throughout history, anthropolatry has led to the worship of human figures as divine beings.

  • The cult's practice of anthropolatry emphasized the reverence of its leaders as deities.

  • Debates about anthropolatry often explore how societies elevate individuals to god-like status.

Synonyms

worship of man
vsanthropolatry
9.5

Treating a person as if they were a god

is the technical term used in formal contexts for the same idea

Surface Forms

anthropolatry singular
anthropolatries plural

Morphology

anthropolatry = anthropo + latry (transparent) = anthropo + latry

The meaning is directly built from the combining forms meaning 'human' + 'worship', so the compound denotes 'worship of humans'.

Etymology

Anthropolatry comes from Greek parts anthropo- meaning 'human' and -latry meaning 'worship', as in anthropology and idolatry. So anthropolatry means 'worship of humans', which is why we use it for treating people like gods.