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Definition of cultish

cultish

/ˈkʌl.tɪʃ/
cul · tish

Adverb:cultishly
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cultish Lexical Profile

cultish Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Characteristic of or resembling a religious or social cult, especially in exhibiting extreme, unquestioning devotion to a leader, brand, or ideology.

Example

"Critics noted that the startup's corporate culture had taken on a cultish atmosphere, demanding total loyalty from employees."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

'Cultish' carries a strong pejorative connotation implying blind conformity or fanaticism, whereas 'cultic' is a neutral academic term used in religious studies and anthropology to describe ritual worship practices.

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the early 20th century from 'cult' (from Latin 'cultus', meaning 'care, cultivation, or worship', from 'colere', 'to inhabit or cultivate') combined with the English suffix '-ish'.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cultish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cultish
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