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Glite Dictionary
symbolatry

symbolatry

9.9
A strong respect for objects or signs that stand for ideas
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : simbolatría
  • The ceremony bordered on symbolatry, with every gesture given exaggerated significance.

Examples

  • He accused the institution of descending into symbolatry, placing images above real values.

  • Some critics argued that the new movement was a form of symbolatry rather than genuine faith.

  • The cult practiced symbolatry as a central tenet of their beliefs.

  • Is symbolatry a form of idolatry?

  • He accused the institution of descending into symbolatry, placing images above real values.

  • Some critics argued that the new movement was a form of symbolatry rather than genuine faith.

  • The ceremony bordered on symbolatry, with every gesture given exaggerated significance.

Synonyms

idolatry
vssymbolatry
9 9.0

Worship of images or objects as gods

is narrower, focusing on symbolic objects rather than all items
fetishism
vssymbolatry
  • Specialized
1 9.8

Belief that objects have special powers and deserve worship

emphasizes symbolic meaning rather than magical properties
fetishization
vssymbolatry
1 8.9

Giving something too much importance and ignoring its real meaning

involves active worship or reverence rather than mere overvaluation
symbololatry
vssymbolatry
9.9

Excessive worship of symbols like pictures or icons

has identical meaning and is an alternative form
symbol-worship
vssymbolatry
9.9

Giving too much value to symbols instead of what they stand for

focuses on veneration generally, not on replacing the referent
iconolatry
vssymbolatry
  • Specialized
9.9

Worship of religious images like pictures and statues

applies to symbols broadly, not only religious images
iconism
vssymbolatry
9.9

A practice of worshipping religious images like paintings or statues

is broader and covers non-image symbols as well
fetichism
vssymbolatry
  • Archaic
9.9

A belief that people worship an object because they think it has magic power

centers on symbolic veneration rather than belief in magic

Surface Forms

symbolatry singular
symbolatries plural

Morphology

symbolatry = symbol (semi-transparent) = symbol + atry

The meaning 'worship of symbols' follows directly from 'symbol' plus the rare suffix '-atry', but '-atry' is not productive or familiar to many learners.

Etymology

Symbolatry comes from two parts: symbol, meaning 'sign' or 'picture', and -latry, meaning 'worship', the same ending as in idolatry. So symbolatry means treating symbols or images as things to be worshipped or giving them too much importance.