charism

noun

char·​ism ˈker-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce charism (audio)
ˈka-ˌri-
plural charismata kə-ˈriz-mə-tə How to pronounce charism (audio) ˌker-iz-ˈmä-tə How to pronounce charism (audio)
ˌka-riz-
or charisms
: an extraordinary power (as of healing) given a Christian by the Holy Spirit for the good of the church

Examples of charism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The two groups have different charisms, or missions: historically, Jesuits tend to be teachers, worldly men, whereas Franciscans suffer with common people, rejecting worldly temptation. Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2013 Lanning is 37, oozes energy and charism, clearly relates well to players and excels in recruiting. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2024 Their charism is about letting people know they are loved. Nr Editors, National Review, 17 Feb. 2022 The new law says greater Vatican oversight was necessary to ensure the new orders meet the criteria of having a unique charism, or founding spirit, and to prevent unsustainably small communities from sprouting up in diocese after diocese. Nicole Winfield, Star Tribune, 4 Nov. 2020 Our charisms based on Oblate foundress, Mother Mary Lange and Christian Brothers founder, John Baptiste de La Salle have served generations of students here in Baltimore, throughout the United States and around the world. Katherine Dunn, baltimoresun.com, 6 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'charism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek charisma

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of charism was in 1587

Dictionary Entries Near charism

Cite this Entry

“Charism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charism. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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