Anabaptism

/ænəˈbæptɪzm/ noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: The doctrine espoused by Anabaptists.
  • Grammar: anabaptism is listed as noun.
  • Usage evidence: 1968, Cornelius Krahn, Dutch Anabaptism: Origin, Spread, Life and Thought (1450–1600), Martinus Nijhoff, page 185, Following somewhat the thesis of Vos and Mellink pertaining to the origin of Anabaptism in the Netherlands, J. F. G. Goeters has recently challenged Rembert's approach and conclusions. He points out that the actual practice of re-baptism, or adult baptism, prior to the Münster catastrophe was minimal and concludes that the early reformatory movement of the German Lower Rhine was a popular movement containing humanistic, Lutheran, and spiritualistic-sacramentarian elements. Anabaptism did not stand at the beginning of this reformation movement, according to Goeters, but entered midstream and helped to clarify concepts. It constituted a radicalization of the spiritualistic-sacramentarian movement.

How to use "anabaptism"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "anabaptism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "anabaptism" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "anabaptism" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "anabaptism" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "anabaptism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with a nearby word before publishing so the final choice matches the reader's expectations.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "anabaptism", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The doctrine espoused by Anabaptists. countable, uncountable

    "1968, Cornelius Krahn, Dutch Anabaptism: Origin, Spread, Life and Thought (1450–1600), Martinus Nijhoff, page 185, Following somewhat the thesis of Vos and Mellink pertaining to the origin of Anabaptism in the Netherlands, J. F. G. Goeters has recently challenged Rembert's approach and conclusions. He points out that the actual practice of re-baptism, or adult baptism, prior to the Münster catastrophe was minimal and concludes that the early reformatory movement of the German Lower Rhine was a popular movement containing humanistic, Lutheran, and spiritualistic-sacramentarian elements. Anabaptism did not stand at the beginning of this reformation movement, according to Goeters, but entered midstream and helped to clarify concepts. It constituted a radicalization of the spiritualistic-sacramentarian movement."

  2. 2
    a Protestant movement in the 16th century that believed in the primacy of the Bible, baptised only believers, not infants, and believed in complete separation of church and state wordnet

Example

"1968, Cornelius Krahn, Dutch Anabaptism: Origin, Spread, Life and Thought (1450–1600), Martinus Nijhoff, page 185, Following somewhat the thesis of Vos and Mellink pertaining to the origin of Anabaptism in the Netherlands, J. F. G. Goeters has recently challenged Rembert's approach and conclusions. He points out that the actual practice of re-baptism, or adult baptism, prior to the Münster catastrophe was minimal and concludes that the early reformatory movement of the German Lower Rhine was a popular movement containing humanistic, Lutheran, and spiritualistic-sacramentarian elements. Anabaptism did not stand at the beginning of this reformation movement, according to Goeters, but entered midstream and helped to clarify concepts. It constituted a radicalization of the spiritualistic-sacramentarian movement."

Common questions

What does "anabaptism" mean?

The doctrine espoused by Anabaptists.

How do you use "anabaptism" in a sentence?

1968, Cornelius Krahn, Dutch Anabaptism: Origin, Spread, Life and Thought (1450–1600), Martinus Nijhoff, page 185, Following somewhat the thesis of Vos and Mellink pertaining to the origin of Anabaptism in the Netherlands, J. F. G. Goeters has recently challenged Rembert's approach and conclusions. He points out that the actual practice of re-baptism, or adult baptism, prior to the Münster catastrophe was minimal and concludes that the early reformatory movement of the German Lower Rhine was a popular movement containing humanistic, Lutheran, and spiritualistic-sacramentarian elements. Anabaptism did not stand at the beginning of this reformation movement, according to Goeters, but entered midstream and helped to clarify concepts. It constituted a radicalization of the spiritualistic-sacramentarian movement.

How do you pronounce "anabaptism"?

Pronounced /ænəˈbæptɪzm/.

Etymology

From Latin anabaptismus, from ecclesiastical Koine Greek ἀναβαπτισμός (anabaptismós), from ἀνα- (ana-, “re-”) + βαπτισμός (baptismós, “baptism”) (compare modern Greek αναβαπτισμός (anavaptismós)); cognate with French anabaptisme. See anabaptize.

More for "anabaptism"