cataphatic

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adjective

Pertaining to the expression of God in terms of what God is, rather than in terms of what God is not (apophatic).

Opposite
apophatic
OriginAncient Greek καταφατικός →
Scrabble 19
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Meanings

adjectivecataphatic (not comparable)

alternative kataphatic

  1. not comparablelifestylePertaining to the expression of God in terms of what God is, rather than in terms of what God is not (apophatic).
  2. broadlynot comparableThat which actively defines a thing by describing what is characteristic of it.

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
apophatic

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekκαταφατικός“affirmative”
  2. Englishcataphatic

From Ancient Greek καταφατικός (kataphatikós, “affirmative”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French cataphatique
  • cataphatiquepertaining to the expression of God in terms of what God is
German kataphatisch
  • kataphatischpertaining to the expression of God in terms of what God is
Japanese 肯定神学の
  • 肯定神学のpertaining to the expression of God in terms of what God is
Polish katafatyczny
  • katafatycznypertaining to the expression of God in terms of what God is
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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