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syncretic

syncretic

1 9.2
Mixing different beliefs and practices into a single system
  • adjective
  • /sɪnˈkrɛtɪk/
: sincrético
  • Oya's syncretic form, he explained, to ease our mother's misgivings, was Our Lady of Montserrat.
  • syncretic religion
  • syncretic culture
  • syncretic form

But it's not a syncretic vision or holistic vision of science as such, or the human disciplines.

Examples

  • Ultimately, Dakota parents wanted their children to receive a syncretic education that combined Dakota and Euro-American cultures.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In this way, Terra Nostra brands us with the debt we owe to the syncretic heritage of Spain and Latin America.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Indeed, their mission education may have even encouraged the formation of a syncretic culture.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Singapore had a syncretic character, not the unified one inherent in the vision of the official street names.

    Academic text (1992)
  • In fact, the extent of the syncretic belief system demarcates the region.

    Academic text (1993)
  • As a result, significant syncretic adaptations of outside innovation to local practices are commonplace.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Their folk religion was a syncretic melding of ancient pagan beliefs, magical practices, and Christian liturgy.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Indian narrators recounted their acceptance, rejection, indifference, or syncretic responses to such demands.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Returning to Carpentier, Benitez Rojo offers a fascinating reading of the presence of syncretic African religion in "Viaje a la semilla."

    Academic text (1996)
  • The festival was a syncretic celebration, blending traditions from both African and European cultures.

Synonyms

syncretistic
vssyncretic
1 9.9

Mixing beliefs and practices from different religions or cultures

is the same notion but used as the shorter -ic form
syncretistical
vssyncretic
9.9

Mixing ideas or practices from different traditions

is the same notion but prefers the shorter -ic or -istic forms
syncretical
vssyncretic
9.9

Combining ideas from different religions and cultures

is the same idea but usually written with the -ic or -istic ending

Antonyms

339 5.4

Only for one person, group, or purpose and not shared

56 7.7

About a religious or political group and showing strong support for its beliefs

How Syncretic

syncretic
1 9.2
eclectic
41 7.7
pluralistic
9 7.3
exclusive
339 5.4

Surface Forms

syncretic positive
syncretical positive

Morphology

syncretic = syncretism (transparent) = syncret + ic

The adjective is directly formed from the noun 'syncretism' by adding '-ic', and the meaning 'combining different beliefs or practices' is a straightforward adjectival derivation.

Etymology

Syncretic comes from Greek syn- 'together', and a helpful image is 'sync' or 'synthesis' — putting things together. That's why a syncretic religion or culture mixes different beliefs and practices into a new, single system.