word worship
/ˈwɜrd ˌwɜrʃɪp/
noun
- Excessive or uncritical reverence for words or written texts, often treating them as more important than their meaning or context.
- Some critics accuse the movement of word-worship, valuing the letter of the law over its spirit.
- The cult's word-worship centered on a single ancient manuscript.
- His word-worship made him defend every comma in the original document, even when it was outdated.
Synonyms