religious 1 of 2

Definition of religiousnext
1
as in sacred
of, relating to, or used in the practice or worship services of a religion Johann Sebastian Bach wrote some of the most beautiful religious music in the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

religious

2 of 2

noun

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of religious
Adjective
One of the more harrowing threads in the film involves a protagonist who is molested by a religious figure but has no recourse to justice. Jenny S. Li, Variety, 16 June 2026 Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier last week issued a legal opinion affirming that all school districts must accommodate parents who want their children to leave or be absent from school for the purpose of receiving religious instruction. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
Noun
As a young religious, Bishop-elect Lombardo did missionary work in Bolivia and Honduras. Laura Rodríguez Presa, chicagotribune.com, 11 Sep. 2020 See All Example Sentences for religious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for religious
Adjective
  • At best, Venus in Leo reminds us that our pleasure is sacred, and self-confidence is attractive.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
  • The Skinnylicious menu is a sacred text and could be the key to world peace, along with fast food, tailgating, and megastores — all things that are a part of everyday American life but are being fully embraced by tourists visiting for the first time.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • However, this distinction did more than pit pious Americans against an atheist enemy.
    David Williamson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
  • In Wake-Keeper (2026), a roughly four-by-five-foot canvas, a pious man draped in the red cloth of traditional Ghanaian funeral attire sits on a stool with his hands clasped, his body facing the left side of the frame.
    Lovia Gyarkye, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • True to its name, the pub in Overland Park housed more than 100 passionate and prideful Dutch supporters who came together to watch the Netherlands face Japan in what some are calling the game of the World Cup so far.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026
  • But the real tragedy is that the world lost a true artist, a passionate and gifted story teller, and a radiant light that shined upon so many of us.
    Austin Mullen, NBC news, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • The teaser cuts to a shot of Elizabeth Marvel as a skeptical nun that IMDb refers to as Sister Maura, watching something on TV and lowering her glasses in … disbelief?
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 June 2026
  • An earlier scene establishes that Jane is a former nun who lost her faith in her god.
    Ian Stokes, Space.com, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Related Stories The project will explore Gaudí’s life, inner battles and spiritual evolution, framing the architect as a radical creative force shaped by faith and an increasingly austere existence.
    Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 16 June 2026
  • He’s also teamed with Sam Obey, Will Epstein, and Celia Hollander to explore drifting ambient music and spiritual jazz.
    Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • That could convert even devout casuals.
    Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
  • The woman, a devout Catholic, escaped after kicking Griffiths and striking him with a lamp, according to the statement.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • At Fox, Collier became known for his passional embrace of blockchain, NFTs and the whole Web3 space.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Nov. 2022
Noun
  • This makes these spots good for young anglers and novices as well as those with mobility challenges.
    Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2026
  • Democrats in Maine, meanwhile, have nominated Graham Platner, a political novice whose grassroots campaign and brash communication style propelled him to a decisive victory over the state’s Democratic governor, Janet Mills, who remained on the ballot but suspended her campaign in April.
    Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 18 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Religious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/religious. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on religious

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster