What does paganizing mean?
Paganizing is the present-participle form of the verb paganize, meaning to make something or someone pagan. The word can refer to the deliberate conversion of people to pagan beliefs, as in the historical paganizing of a conquered region, or more critically to the transformation of a place, story, practice, or artwork through the influence of pagan religion. It is especially useful in historical, religious, literary, and cultural analysis, where it describes a process rather than simply identifying a pagan person or object. The term carries a somewhat formal and uncommon tone. In critical usage, it may imply that a supposedly Christian or secular subject has been made to resemble something associated with pagan worship, so context can determine whether the process is being described neutrally or accused.
verbThe act of making a person, place, practice, or work pagan, or of causing something to adopt pagan beliefs or practices.
- The act of making a person, place, practice, or work pagan.
- The act of causing someone to adopt pagan beliefs or practices.
"The scholar argued that the translation of the poem was subtly paganizing the Christian narrative."
"The empire's expansion involved the gradual paganizing of conquered communities."
"Critics accused the artist of paganizing a sacred Christian scene."
Paganizing turns a place, text, or practice into something identified with pagan belief—a transformation that can describe both deliberate cultural change and perceived religious influence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of paganizing
The word is formed from pagan, which comes through Old French from the Latin paganus, originally a term for a rural person and later used for someone outside the Christian tradition. The related verb paganize developed from this adjective and noun, with the suffix -ize indicating an action of making or converting. Its present-participle form, paganizing, follows the ordinary English pattern of adding -ing to a verb.
Related word forms
How paganizing is actually used
Relatively uncommon and often used in historical, religious, or cultural discussion. It can describe deliberate conversion or, critically, the alleged influence of pagan religious ideas.
Easily confused with paganizing
“Paganizing” is the process of making something or someone pagan, whereas “pagan” is an adjective or noun describing someone or something associated with non-Christian religions.