syncretism

[ sing-kri-tiz-uhm, sin- ]

noun

1. the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion.
2. Grammar. the merging, as by historical change in a language, of two or more categories in a specified environment into one, as, in nonstandard English, the use of was with both singular and plural subjects, while in standard English was is used with singular subjects (except for you in the second person singular) and were with plural subjects.

syncretism

/ sɪŋˈkrɛtɪk; ˈsɪŋkrɪˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. the tendency to syncretize
2. the historical tendency of languages to reduce their use of inflection, as in the development of Old English with all its case endings into Modern English

Derived Forms

• syncretic, adjective
• ˈsyncretist, noun

Other Words From

• syn·cret·ic [sin-, kret, -ik], syn·cret·i·cal syn·cre·tis·tic [sing-kri-, tis, -tik, sin-], adjective
• syn·cre·tist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of syncretism¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from New Latin syncretismus, from Greek synkrētismós “union of Cretans,” i.e., a united front of two opposing parties against a common foe, derivative of synkrēt(ízein) “to form a confederation” ( syncretize ) + -ismos noun suffix ( -ism )

Word History and Origins

Origin of syncretism¹

C17: from New Latin syncrētismus, from Greek sunkrētismos alliance of Cretans, from sunkrētizein to join forces (in the manner of the Cretan towns), from syn- + Krēs a Cretan

Example Sentences

The dances, which reflect Mexican syncretism, went on for hours.

From Los Angeles Times

Day of the Dead is one of Mexico’s great visual spectacles — and a celebration of cultural syncretism.

From Seattle Times

He said 94% of the parents he studied embraced “a disparate, irreconcilable collection of beliefs” he called syncretism.

From Washington Times

More important, they speak to the long tradition of syncretism that has always defined India, a tradition that contemporary politics increasingly — and tragically — aims to erase.

From New York Times

The Empress of the Americas and the patron saint of Mexico, this brown-skinned apparition of the Virgin Mary also represents the power of syncretism, since she’s a combination of European and Indigenous traditions.

From Los Angeles Times