faith healing

noun

: a method of treating diseases by prayer and exercise of faith in God
faith healer noun

Examples of faith healing in a Sentence

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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.
But over the past sixty-plus years, practices once associated with older Pentecostal churches—glossolalia, faith healing, and the casting out of demons—began seeping through denominational borders and flourished across the country, a trend that has grown only more pronounced. — Sam Kestenbaum, Harper's Magazine, 21 June 2024 People were converting to more expressive forms of evangelical Christianity — sometimes called charismatic or Pentecostal — which often entailed speaking in tongues and faith healing and emphasized a daily struggle between good and evil. — Bishop Sand, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of faith healing was in 1880

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Cite this Entry

“Faith healing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/faith%20healing. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

faith healing

noun
ˈfāth-ˌhē-liŋ How to pronounce faith healing (audio)
: a method of treating diseases by prayer and exercise of faith in God
faith healer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on faith healing

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about faith healing

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