theosophist

noun

the·​os·​o·​phist thē-ˈä-sə-fist How to pronounce theosophist (audio)
1
: an adherent of theosophy
2
Theosophist : a member of a theosophical society

Examples of theosophist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Like the theosophists, these early Druids often claimed to be practicing forms of an ancient, universal wisdom tradition and did not explicitly identify as Pagan. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 Ojai has long been home to Theosophists, avant-gardists, potters and naturalists joining other outsiders and mystics with a whim for wonder. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 The concept dates back centuries but took on a new life in the twentieth, when Russian theosophist couple Nicholas and Helena Roerich led an expedition in the 1920s to find Shambhala in the Altai Mountains. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025 In his book, Fuller cites leading theosophist Helena Blavatsky, only to then quote a Hindu source—the Hatha Yoga Pradipika—so as to extol its greater exactness! — Stewart Home august 22, Literary Hub, 22 Aug. 2025 The British theosophist Annie Besantpublished a manual in 1895 devoted entirely to explaining the workings of karma. — Ben Zimmer, WSJ, 7 Oct. 2020 The artists produced fine art, as well as crafts, furniture, decorations for the community’s buildings, and illustrations for theosophist publications. — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of theosophist was in 1656

Rhymes for theosophist

See All Rhymes for theosophist

Browse Nearby Words

theosophism
theosophist
theosophistic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Theosophist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theosophist. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All