theism
1 synonym and 1 antonym for theism, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Belief in the existence of at least one god.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Antonyms
How to use theism
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
forms of theism
theism versus atheism
classical theism
philosophical theism
Theism is a neutral, academic term used in philosophy and religious studies rather than everyday speech.
Etymology
Formed in English from the element theo-, taken from the Ancient Greek word for god, joined to the suffix -ism. The word is recorded from 1678, with the related word theist appearing slightly earlier, in 1662. French borrowed the matching term théisme from English.
Full origin of theism →Frequently asked questions
What does theism mean?
Theism means believing that at least one god exists. It covers any belief in a deity, not one particular religion.
What is the difference between theism and deism?
Deism is one narrower form of theism. General theism just means believing a god or gods exist, without specifying how that god relates to the world.
Is theism the same as a religion?
Not quite. Theism is the underlying belief that a god exists, while a religion is a wider system of practice and teaching that may or may not be built on that belief.
