symbololatry

9.9

Excessive worship of symbols like pictures or icons

noun
/ˌsɪmbəˈlɑːtrɪ/

: simbololatría

Some critics accused the movement of symbololatry, claiming it valued images over principles.

Examples

Religious reformers warned against symbololatry within their communities.
His fascination with ancient icons teetered on the edge of symbololatry.
The cult practiced symbololatry in their rituals.
Many criticize the symbololatry seen in modern politics.
Religious reformers warned against symbololatry, emphasizing that true faith should focus on the underlying beliefs rather than mere symbols.
Some critics accused the organization of symbololatry, arguing that it prioritized its logos and emblems over its foundational values.
Many criticize the symbololatry seen in modern politics, where leaders often rely on powerful imagery instead of substantive policies.

Synonyms

symbol-worship

vssymbololatry

1 9.9

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

refers to excessive reverence in general rather than replacement of meaning

symbolatry

vssymbololatry

Archaic

9.9

A strong respect for objects or signs that stand for ideas

has identical meaning but is a different form or spelling

Antonyms

rejection

182 3.0

Not being accepted by people or a group

disdain

64 6.5

A feeling of strong dislike and lack of respect

How Reverent

symbololatry

9.9

to worship

165 4.2

veneration

Formal

4 7.8

respect

374 2.8

admiration

103 1.8

Surface Forms

symbololatry singular

symbololatries plural

Morphology

symbololatry = symbol (transparent) = symbol + latry

Formed by adding the worship-denoting combining element '-latry' to 'symbol', giving the literal meaning 'worship of symbols', which is predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The word symbololatry comes from symbol ('sign' or 'image') and the ending -latry meaning 'worship', the same ending used in idolatry. So it means giving too much respect or worship to symbols, which explains its modern sense.