polytheistic

[ pol-ee-thee-is-tik ]

adjective

1. pertaining to, characterized by, or adhering to polytheism, the doctrine that there is more than one god or many gods:

   Science thrived in the polytheistic culture of ancient Greece.

Other Words From

• poly·the·isti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of polytheistic¹

polythe(ism) + -istic

Example Sentences

The extremist group said that it “attacked a gathering of Christian unbelievers during their polytheistic ceremony” inside the Santa Maria Church in the Buyukdere neighborhood in Istanbul on Sunday.

From Seattle Times

That term is sometimes derisively used to describe members of Macumba, which is defined as “a polytheistic religion of African origin … practiced mainly by Black Brazilians in urban areas.”

From Washington Times

And although Hinduism is often thought of as having polytheistic elements, Ramaswamy has sought to portray it more simply as monotheistic.

From Slate

Those beliefs have changed and developed for millennia, influenced by cultures, theologians and even the ancient polytheistic beliefs that came before the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, she said.

From Seattle Times

On Friday, the Islamic State group — a Sunni militant group that often targets Shiites — claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying Thursday’s bombing came “during their annual polytheistic rituals.”

From Seattle Times