cult-friendly
|cult-friend-ly|
/ˈkʌltˌfrɛndli/
appealing to or enabling cults
Etymology
'cult-friendly' originates from modern English, a compound of the noun 'cult' and the adjective 'friendly'. 'Cult' ultimately comes from Latin 'cultus' meaning 'care, worship', and 'friendly' comes from Old English roots meaning 'of a friend' (friendly, amicable).
'cult' comes from Latin 'cultus' (from the verb 'colere' meaning 'to till, to take care of, to worship') and entered English via Middle French/Latin forms; 'friendly' derives from Old English 'freond' (friend) + the adjective-forming suffix, evolving into Middle English 'friendli' and modern 'friendly'. The compound 'cult-friendly' is a recent English formation using these existing elements.
Initially, 'cult' in Latin referred to 'care' or 'worship'; in modern English it denotes a religious or social group often characterized by unorthodox beliefs and strong internal cohesion. 'Friendly' has retained its sense of being kind or favorable. Together the compound now means 'favorable to or enabling cults', a usage arising in contemporary discourse.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
being favorable to, attractive to, or readily accepted by a cult or cult-like group; likely to appeal to or facilitate recruitment/retention of cult members.
The documentary was criticized for being cult-friendly and glamorizing the group's leaders.
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Adjective 2
having qualities or policies that tacitly support or enable cult activities (e.g., lax oversight, unquestioning praise), rather than explicitly endorsing a cult.
Some online platforms have been accused of creating cult-friendly spaces by failing to moderate charismatic leaders.
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Last updated: 2025/10/24 02:24