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metanoia

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˌmɛtəˈnɔɪə/

KK: /mɛtəˈnɔɪə/

noun
Definition

A deep and significant change in one's thoughts or beliefs, often related to personal growth or spiritual awakening.


Example

After years of struggle, she experienced a metanoia that changed her perspective on life.


Conversation
Sloth A
I recently read about the concept of metanoia and found it fascinating.
Sloth B
Oh really? What does it mean exactly?
Sloth A
It refers to a profound change of heart or mind, almost like a spiritual awakening.
Sloth B
That sounds really interesting! I think we all experience some form of metanoia at different points in our lives.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
transformation
conversion
reformation
Antonyms
stagnation
unchanged
decline
Root Explanation

Metanoia is derived from the Greek "meta-" (meaning beyond or after) and "noia" (from "noein", meaning to think or perceive). The term refers to a transformative change of heart or mind, indicating a profound shift in one's way of thinking or understanding.

Memory Tip

Think of 'beyond' ('meta-') and 'thinking' ('noia') to remember that metanoia means a deep change in how one thinks or perceives things.

Visually Confused Words
methanoic
melanoi
melania
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