atheism

noun

athe·ism | \ ˈā-thē-ˌi-zəm

How to pronounce atheism (audio)

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Definition of atheism

1a : a lack of belief or a strong disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods

b : a philosophical or religious position characterized by disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods

2 archaic : godlessness especially in conduct : ungodliness, wickedness

Examples of atheism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mare’s atheism sticks out in a community where an older woman like Mrs. Carroll has crosses all over her home and her cousin Dan is the local priest. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, "Mare of Easttown Premiere Recap: Being the Hero," 18 Apr. 2021 Just before Easter, Vance posted a lengthy essay on his spiritual journey from Christian evangelical roots into atheism and then to becoming Catholic. — Dan Sewell, The Enquirer, "'Hillbilly' to Capitol Hill? Author eyes Senate bid in Ohio," 16 Apr. 2021 Just before Easter, Vance posted a lengthy essay on his spiritual journey from Christian evangelical roots into atheism and then to becoming Catholic. — Dan Sewell, The Enquirer, "'Hillbilly' to Capitol Hill? Author eyes Senate bid in Ohio," 16 Apr. 2021 Just before Easter, Vance posted a lengthy essay on his spiritual journey from Christian evangelical roots into atheism and then to becoming Catholic. — Dan Sewell, Star Tribune, "'Hillbilly' to Capitol Hill? Author eyes Senate bid in Ohio," 15 Apr. 2021 Other rooms tackle taboo topics ranging from atheism to homosexuality. — Sarah El Deeb, The Christian Science Monitor, "On Clubhouse, Arabs debate taboo topics – for now," 9 Apr. 2021 Other rooms tackle taboo topics ranging from atheism to homosexuality. — NBC News, "Loud debates, fun banter: Mideast finds outlet in Clubhouse," 9 Apr. 2021 Fifteen years later, however, Lewis — by then an Oxford scholar in English literature — abandoned his atheism and embraced historic Christianity. — Joseph Loconte, National Review, "How C. S. Lewis Accepted Christianity," 4 Apr. 2021 First and foremost, Christmas was a holiday that brought together many Hungarians each year to contemplate and reflect on their faith, and thus a direct threat to the regime’s militant atheism and its ongoing war on Hungarian churches. — Stephen Sholl, National Review, "A Communist Christmas Story," 25 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'atheism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

4 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Atheism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atheism. Accessed 8 May. 2021.

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