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Glite Dictionary
🔎 Extreme devotion 😳 Sexual fixation 🪆 Object worship
fetishistic

fetishistic

1 9.4
Believing that objects have magical power and people worship them
  • adjective
  • /ˌfɛtɪˈʃɪstɪk/
translation icon : fetichista
  • The tribe was known for its fetishistic rituals involving carved wooden figures.

Examples

  • In some societies, fetishistic practices are common.

  • Some cultures have fetishistic beliefs about certain stones.

  • Anthropologists studied the fetishistic beliefs surrounding sacred stones in the region.

  • Some early explorers misunderstood local customs as purely fetishistic practices.

  • The museum showcased a collection of fetishistic artifacts believed to possess magical powers.

  • His fascination with ancient idols was rooted in a fetishistic belief in their supernatural significance.

  • Many cultures have fetishistic practices centered around objects they believe can bring good fortune.

Synonyms

magical
vsfetishistic
156 3.8

Having powers that people say come from witches or wizards

focuses instead on belief that certain objects are worshipped for power
magic
vsfetishistic
  • Literature
53 5.5

Having power to make impossible things happen, as in stories

is about belief that a few objects are treated as having real power
supernaturalist
vsfetishistic
1 9.0

Relating to belief in powers that are not part of nature

limits this to belief that particular objects are worshipped for power
animatistic
vsfetishistic
  • Specialized
9.9

A belief that natural things like rivers, trees, and mountains have spirits or a special power

focuses on certain chosen objects believed to have powers and are worshipped
supernaturalistic
vsfetishistic
9.9

Relating to belief in ghosts, spirits, or forces beyond nature

emphasizes belief in selected objects having power and being worshipped

Antonyms

rational
382 3.8

Based on clear thinking and facts rather than emotion

skeptical
  • US
286 4.2

Not easily believing that something is true

How Superstitious

fetishistic
1 9.4
superstitious
58 4.9
credulous
7 8.3
skeptical
  • US
286 4.2

Surface Forms

fetishistic positive

Morphology

fetishistic = fetish (transparent) = fetish + istic

The adjective directly relates to the anthropological sense of 'fetish' (objects believed to have supernatural powers) using a normal adjectival suffix.

Etymology

Fetishistic comes from fetish, which comes from Portuguese feitiço meaning 'magic charm'. It first named objects people thought had a spirit or power, so fetishistic can describe beliefs or practices that treat things as if they have special, almost magical power.