popish

[ poh-pish ]

adjective

, Disparaging.

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Roman Catholic Church.

popish

/ ˈpəʊpɪʃ /

adjective

1. derogatory.
   belonging to or characteristic of Roman Catholicism

Derived Forms

• ˈpopishly, adverb

Other Words From

• popish·ly adverb
• popish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of popish¹

First recorded in 1520–30; pope + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

Others have pointed to Byrd’s protracted organ playing, which was described as “popish.”

From New York Times

What really worries the royal advisers in London is that James may be a covert Catholic — a tool of Rome playing the long game to wrest England back to popish abomination.

From Washington Post

In the Renaissance, some Protestant denominations, such as Scotland’s austere Kirk, high-mindedly “declared all of Christmas a nasty popish invention and banned the holidays entirely.”

From Washington Post

Then he was "atheistical, popish, heathenish, tyrannical, bloodthirsty;" now the country turned to him as a true patriot, the staunch upholder of the Anglican Church, the defender of the rights of Parliament.

From Project Gutenberg

The lover of the “popish clergywoman” is simply perfect, with a not much less good heart and a much better head than his master’s, and in his own degree hardly less of a gentleman.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• pontiff