superstitious
Believing in omens
Superstitious describes someone who believes in supernatural causation—that broken mirrors bring bad luck, black cats crossing your path portend misfortune, or knocking on wood prevents jinxing yourself.
The word carries mild dismissiveness; calling a belief superstitious implies it lacks rational basis: She's superstitious about the number thirteen.
Athletes are notoriously superstitious about game-day rituals.
Prophetic indicator
- jinxCurse bringing misfortune
- curseInvoked harm through words
- hexMalevolent incantation
- evil eyeHarm-dealing gaze, supposedly
luck · fate · karma · destiny · fortune · providence · kismet · blessing
Worn protective token
- talismanMagical protective charm
- lucky charmObject thought to bring fortune
- rabbit's footSupposed good-luck amulet
- horseshoeCurved metal hoof protector
four-leaf clover · evil eye bead · hamsa · scarab · ankh · dreamcatcher · lucky penny · wishbone
Dark-coated feline
- broken mirrorDamaged reflective pane
- walking under ladderFolklore-feared path choice
- spilled saltSeasoning tipped over accidentally
- crowLarge black corvid
raven · owl · eclipse · comet · shooting star · full moon · Friday the 13th · number 13
Unfounded traditional belief
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- folk beliefTraditional unverified cultural notion
- traditionCustom passed through generations
custom · taboo · lore · cautionary tale · ghost story · urban legend · rural tradition · oral tradition
Intense anticipatory fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- warinessCautious distrust
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
foreboding · unease · trepidation · irrational fear · magical thinking · obsession · compulsion · avoidance
Superstitious phrase averting jinx
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
- seanceRitual to contact spirits
conjuration · spellcasting · exorcism · sacrifice · offering · appeasement · purification · warding
omen
Prophetic indicator
evil eye · luck · fate · karma · destiny · fortune · providence · kismet · blessing · portent
amulet
Worn protective token
- talismanMagical protective charm
- lucky charmObject thought to bring fortune
- rabbit's footSupposed good-luck amulet
horseshoe · four-leaf clover · evil eye bead · hamsa · scarab · ankh · dreamcatcher · lucky penny · wishbone · acorn
black cat
Dark-coated feline
- broken mirrorDamaged reflective pane
- walking under ladderFolklore-feared path choice
- spilled saltSeasoning tipped over accidentally
crow · raven · owl · eclipse · comet · shooting star · full moon · Friday the 13th · number 13 · knock on wood
old wives' tale
Unfounded traditional belief
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- folk beliefTraditional unverified cultural notion
tradition · custom · taboo · lore · cautionary tale · ghost story · urban legend · rural tradition · oral tradition · folk magic
dread
Intense anticipatory fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- warinessCautious distrust
apprehension · foreboding · unease · trepidation · irrational fear · magical thinking · obsession · compulsion · avoidance · phobia
knock on wood
Superstitious phrase averting jinx
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
seance · conjuration · spellcasting · exorcism · sacrifice · offering · appeasement · purification · warding · banishing
superstitiousrational
Governed by logic
logical · skeptical · scientific · evidence-based · empirical
superstitiousfactual
Grounded in truth
realistic · pragmatic · materialist · naturalistic · secular
superstitiousskeptical
Inclined to question claims
sceptical · incredulous · questioning · doubtful · disbelieving
- superstitious beliefFaith in luck or omens
superstition, superstitions, superstitiously, superstitiousness