apophatism

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noun

A theory of approaching knowledge of God through negative rather than positive assertions.

Opposite
cataphatismdoctrine of analogy
Scrabble 19
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Meanings

nounapophatism (countable and uncountable, plural apophatisms)

plural apophatisms

  1. countableuncountablelifestyleA theory of approaching knowledge of God through negative rather than positive assertions.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe religious belief that God cannot be known but is completely ‘other’ and must be described in negative terms (in terms of what God is not)

Opposite
cataphatismdoctrine of analogy
Broader
religionfaithreligious belief

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Translations

Greek αποφατισμός
  • αποφατισμός (apofatismós)a theory of approaching knowledge of God through negative assertions
Polish apofatyzm
  • apofatyzma theory of approaching knowledge of God through negative assertions
Portuguese apófase, apofatismo
  • apófasea theory of approaching knowledge of God through negative assertions
  • apofatismoa theory of approaching knowledge of God through negative assertions
Cite this entry
APA

apophatism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apophatism

MLA

“apophatism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apophatism. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “apophatism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apophatism.

Source: apophatism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.