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

The answer, by and large, turns out to be secularism. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026

The influential author derides secularism and the modern world. — Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026

The 1979 revolution led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic, which clamped down on secularism. — Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026

Ironically, both Nietzsche and Keller argued that the moral values of secularism do not originate in scientific reasoning but rather in Christianity. — James O. Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 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