supernaturalism

supernaturalism — noun

1. the quality or condition of being something that cannot be explained by the ordi

1.nounC1
Definition

the quality or condition of being something that cannot be explained by the ordinary laws of nature or physical science

Example

The strange lights in the sky had an air of supernaturalism that frightened the villagers.

collocation: air of supernaturalism

Many traditional stories from around the world contain elements of supernaturalism.

Common collocations
  • air of supernaturalism
  • sense of supernaturalism
  • element of supernaturalism
  • subtle supernaturalism
Synonyms
  • otherworldliness

    emphasises separation from ordinary reality rather than violation of natural law

  • transcendence

    suggests going beyond human experience rather than the supernatural quality itself

  • magic

    more informal and suggests active supernatural forces or spells

Antonyms
  • naturalism

    the view that everything arises from natural causes and laws

Usage Note

This uncountable noun refers to the property of being supernatural, not to a system of belief. It is most common in literary criticism and discussions of folklore.

Common Mistakes

The supernaturalism believes in ghosts.' (using the word as a person).
A belief in ghosts is one form of supernaturalism.
'supernaturalism' is an abstract concept or quality, not a person who believes.

2. a system of thought or belief that accepts the existence of forces, powers, or b

2.nounC1
Definition

a system of thought or belief that accepts the existence of forces, powers, or beings beyond what science can observe or explain

Example

The tribe's supernaturalism included a deep respect for the spirits of the forest.

possessive: [group]'s supernaturalism

Some modern philosophers argue that supernaturalism is incompatible with a scientific worldview.

Common collocations
  • tribe's supernaturalism
  • reject supernaturalism
  • traditional supernaturalism
  • form of supernaturalism
Synonyms
  • spiritualism

    more specific — refers to belief that spirits of the dead communicate with the living

  • theism

    focuses on belief in a personal God or gods, not supernatural forces generally

  • occultism

    suggests hidden or secret supernatural knowledge, often with a negative tone

Antonyms
  • naturalism

    the philosophical view that only natural laws and forces operate in the world

  • materialism

    the belief that only physical matter is real

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe belief systems that go beyond purely materialist explanations, but they differ in focus and connotation. Supernaturalism is the broadest term — any system that accepts forces or beings beyond nature. Spiritualism narrows this to communication with spirits of the dead, often through mediums. Theism is specifically about belief in a personal God or gods who created and may interact with the world. Occultism suggests hidden or secret supernatural knowledge, often with a slightly negative or mysterious tone. Mysticism focuses on direct personal experience of the divine or ultimate reality, rather than belief in external supernatural beings. For example: 'His supernaturalism took the form of theism — he believed in a single creator God.' 'She explored occultism through tarot cards and astrology.'

spiritualismtheism ↗occultismmysticism

Common collocations

Nouns

  • element of supernaturalism
  • form of supernaturalism
  • tradition of supernaturalism

Phrases

  • air of supernaturalism
  • sense of supernaturalism
  • system of supernaturalism

Prepositions

  • belief in supernaturalism
  • debates about supernaturalism

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Supernaturalism combines the Latin prefix super- ('above, beyond'), the Latin root natura ('nature, natural order'), and the English suffix -ism ('doctrine, system of belief'). The word entered English in the mid-19th century during philosophical debates about whether reality extends beyond the physical world observable by science. Its base word supernatural had been in English since the 15th century.

First known use

1764

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1