fetishism

noun
fe·​tish·​ism | \ ˈfe-ti-ˌshi-zəm also ˈfē- How to pronounce fetishism (audio) \
variants: or less commonly fetichism

Definition of fetishism

1 : belief in magical fetishes
2 : extravagant irrational devotion
3 : the pathological displacement of erotic interest and satisfaction to a fetish

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from fetishism

fetishist \ ˈfe-​ti-​shist How to pronounce fetishist (audio) also  ˈfē-​ \ noun
fetishistic \ ˌfe-​ti-​ˈshi-​stik How to pronounce fetishistic (audio) also  ˌfē-​ \ adjective
fetishistically \ ˌfe-​ti-​ˈshi-​sti-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce fetishistically (audio) also  ˌfē-​ \ adverb

Examples of fetishism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Beach Boys’ fetishism still resonates today, possibly because the cars of that era remain un-car-like in their coolness and appeal. Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, "Was the Automotive Era a Terrible Mistake?," 22 July 2019 The height of heels today is as ridiculous as Marie Antoinette’s wigs, a form of tulip-mania although far more painful and potentially harmful. Foot fetishism, anyone? Vogue, "Read the Funny, Fearless Judith Krantz on Dressing at 70 in Vogue," 24 June 2019 But his bigger target is authenticity fetishism, the backward-looking, vinyl-loving, locavore culture that distracts, like Nero’s fiddle, from natural and social disaster. Julian Lucas, Harper's magazine, "New Books," 10 May 2019 In wary opposition to the construction are the nomadic Tuareg people, who believe that permanent habitations are antithetical to the spirit of the region and, being Muslim, consider the settlers’ worship of gold to be a form of fetishism. Sam Sacks, WSJ, "Fiction: Heaven Is Not at All What You Think," 25 Jan. 2019 In mining the past, Soft Science sees new possibilities rather than a chance to indulge in retro fetishism. Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, "Soft Science builds dreams amid chaos on 'Maps'," 8 June 2018 This damaging form of objectification degrades an individual to a single identifier, drowning individualism and perpetuating fetishism. Kelsey Castañon, refinery29.com, "I'm Latinx — & I'm Fed Up With Being Called "Exotic"," 24 May 2018 While the fetishism for the pop music of a more innocent time can be cloying, Clarke’s emotional gloom has a way of leavening that sweetness with some real acid. Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader, "Chicago native Max Clarke uncoils the darkness in his cheerful melodies on the debut full-length by Cut Worms," 17 May 2018 Not everyone is down with designer fetishism for the under-10 set, of course. Bobby Doherty, The Cut, "The consequences of dressing a child in designer apparel.," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fetishism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of fetishism

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for fetishism

fetishism

noun
fe·​tish·​ism
variants: also fetichism \ -​ish-​ˌiz-​əm How to pronounce fetichism (audio) \

Medical Definition of fetishism

: the pathological displacement of erotic interest and satisfaction to a fetish

Other Words from fetishism

fetishistic also fetichistic \ ˌfet-​ish-​ˈis-​tik also ˌfēt-​ How to pronounce fetichistic (audio) \ adjective
fetishistically \ -​ti-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce fetishistically (audio) \ adverb