postlapsarian

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "postlapsarian" is a real and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective and usually used in theological contexts to refer to the period of time following the Fall of Man in the Bible. For example, you could say "The postlapsarian world is filled with grief and strife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

In another light, the poem reads as a reflection on banishment from Eden, perhaps from the perspective of a postlapsarian man, or even the devil.

The New Yorker

Most of the band's life span was postlapsarian.

The New Yorker

Around 8 45 p.m. there was a mass exodus — perhaps for the 9 09 p.m. to Greenwich — that left the bar looking postlapsarian.

The New Yorker

A recurring element in the stories is the one wrong move a character makes — blowing off college applications, committing adultery — that turns an Edenic life into a postlapsarian hell.

The New York Times - Books

Take, for example, Michael Thompson, Phil Poynter or even Hedi Slimane, who employ similar subjects and techniques – shadow saturated supermodels, rock stars, and celebrities in black and white – but who offer a much darker vision of beauty, filtered through a grime-stained, postlapsarian lens.

The Guardian - Arts

They are cynical by nature, skeptical of "truths," and, because of this, shrewd and acute interpreters of what passes for reality in our vividly postlapsarian world.

The New Yorker

Innocence and goodness are not the same thing, and Williams cheerfully shreds the culture's postlapsarian fantasies of childhood.

The New Yorker

By now, the latter-day, postlapsarian gardens of the world have become nearly as ecumenical, in plant material at least, as Eden could ever have been, and considerably less pestered by large, friendly beasts.

The New York Times - Books

There's little question that "The Book Against God" is meant, in fact, to be a book against God: it's meant to lead you as well as Thomas to its concluding and rather despairing, postlapsarian point: "Wasn't it an orchard, my childhood?

The New York Times - Books

Our postlapsarian condition has reached into the depths of space: we are each of us fallen, the knowledge we ate of useless.

The New York Times - Books

Hampl embarks on her pilgrimage to discover "perception" from a postlapsarian consciousness; she seeks an absolute seeing and knowing that cannot exist in an imperfect world.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "postlapsarian" sparingly in general writing; its specialized meaning may not be immediately clear to all readers. Consider more common alternatives like "after the fall" if broader understanding is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "postlapsarian" loosely to describe any general decline or negative change. The term carries a specific theological weight, referring to the state of humanity after the Fall. Using it outside this context can sound pretentious or inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

Postlapsarian functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate a state or condition existing after a fall from grace or innocence, often with theological or philosophical implications. Ludwig AI confirms its adjectival nature through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "postlapsarian" is an adjective used to describe something occurring or existing after a fall from grace or innocence, primarily in theological and philosophical contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently found in News & Media sources. When using "postlapsarian", ensure the context relates to a loss of innocence or a decline from a previous state. While precise, consider more common phrases like "after the fall" for clarity in broader contexts. Be mindful of overusing it, as its specialized meaning could be unfamiliar to some readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after the fall

Focuses specifically on the period following a significant decline or moral failing.

subsequent to the transgression

Emphasizes the consequence of an action leading to a state of imperfection.

in the wake of the expulsion

Highlights the aftermath of being removed from a state of grace or ideal environment.

fallen state

Describes the condition of being after a loss of innocence or moral purity.

after the original sin

Directly references the theological concept of the first sin and its consequences.

post-Eden

A more concise way to reference the time period after the biblical Garden of Eden.

corrupted condition

Emphasizes the degradation and moral decay that follows a decline.

imperfect world

Highlights the flawed and tainted nature of existence after a loss of innocence.

degraded circumstances

Focuses on the diminished and deteriorated conditions after a fall from grace.

life after innocence lost

Expresses the state of existence following the loss of purity or naiveté.

FAQs

How is "postlapsarian" typically used in a sentence?

The adjective "postlapsarian" is used to describe something that exists or occurs after the Fall of Man. For example: "The "postlapsarian world" is marked by suffering and imperfection."

What are some synonyms for "postlapsarian"?

While there isn't a perfect synonym, phrases like "after the fall", "subsequent to the transgression", or "in the wake of the expulsion" can convey a similar meaning depending on the context.

Is "postlapsarian" a commonly used word?

No, "postlapsarian" is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It's more frequently encountered in theological, philosophical, and literary contexts.

What's the difference between "prelapsarian" and "postlapsarian"?

"Prelapsarian" describes the state or time before the Fall of Man, characterized by innocence and perfection, while "postlapsarian" refers to the state or time after the Fall, marked by sin and imperfection. They are antonyms.