secularism

noun

sec·​u·​lar·​ism ˈse-kyə-lə-ˌri-zəm 

: indifference to or rejection or exclusion of religion and religious considerations

secularist

ˈse-kyə-lə-rist 

noun

secularist adjective

or less commonly secularistic

ˌse-kyə-lə-ˈri-stik 

Examples of secularism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the choice was criticized by supporters of France’s strict form of secularism in public life based on a 1905 law separating church and state. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

French officials and many educators say secularism in public schools and other institutions protects less observant and nonreligious people from pressure while leaving everyone free to worship in private. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Some are ideologues such as Bannon and Beattie, people who believe that Western civilization is being destroyed by racial diversity, secularism, and the commitment to human rights. — Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Right-wing nationalists, stronger in some countries than in others, detested liberalism, secularism, and racial equality. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for secularism

• activism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism
• calvinism

Kids Definition

secularism

noun

sec·​u·​lar·​ism ˈsek-yə-lə-ˌriz-əm 

: the belief that religion and religious considerations should be ignored

secularist

-rəst 

noun

secularist adjective

also secularistic

ˌsek-yə-lə-ˈris-tik