animatistic

adjective

Meaning

Relating to the belief that inanimate objects or natural phenomena possess a generalized, impersonal power or life force.

Examples

  • The researcher argued that the tribe's animatistic rituals were designed to appease the spirit of the mountain.
  • Early religious studies often contrasted animatistic concepts with more complex systems involving distinct, named deities.

Synonyms: spiritual, animistic, supernatural, numinous