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Meaning & use

salvific

adjective·Advancedformalreligion

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UK/sælˈvɪfɪk/
US/sælˈvɪfɪk/

Meanings

  1. adjectivebefore a nounreligion

    Able or meant to save people from sin and its spiritual consequences.

    Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: a salvific act.

    Patterns

    • a salvific act
    • salvific power

    Many Christians believe that the crucifixion was a salvific event.

    The theologian wrote about the salvific meaning of suffering.

    In the sermon, the priest described grace as a salvific gift.

  2. adjectivebefore a nounfigurativeformal

    Rescuing someone or something from a bad situation, said of an action or idea with great importance.

    Grammar: Used figuratively and with some irony: a salvific idea.

    Patterns

    • a salvific moment
    • salvific for someone

    Investors hoped that the merger would prove salvific for the failing company.

    The critic found the film's final scene almost salvific after two dull hours.

    For the stranded hikers, the helicopter's arrival was salvific.

Common combinations

salvific work
The pastor spoke of the salvific work of Christ.
salvific power
Some traditions stress the salvific power of faith.
salvific act
Baptism is seen as a salvific act in many churches.
salvific death
The essay explores the salvific death of the hero in the story.
salvific mission
They discussed the salvific mission of the church.

Synonyms and how they differ

redemptive
Redemptive is more common and can describe any rescue from failure, not only a religious one.
saving
Saving is the plain everyday word, while salvific sounds academic and religious.
soteriological
Soteriological means relating to the study of salvation, so it describes the topic rather than the saving action itself.
redeeming
Redeeming often describes a good quality that makes up for faults, which is wider than salvific.

Opposites

damning

Word family

salvation noun
the saving of a person from sin or harm
save verb
to rescue from danger or sin
savior noun
a person who rescues others
salvific adjective
relating to the act of saving

Commonly confused: salvific or salvageable?

salvific vs salvageable

Salvageable means able to be rescued from damage or waste, and has no religious meaning.

Practice

The theologian argued that the sacrifice had a ____ meaning for believers.

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