nonreligious

adjective

non·​re·​li·​gious ˌnän-ri-ˈli-jəs 

: not religious: such as

a

: not having a religious character : secular

a nonreligious organization

b

: having no religion : irreligious

my nonreligious friends

Superficially these images might seem, even to the nonreligious spectator, "scandalous."

—Richard Wollheim

Synonyms of nonreligious

• atheistic
• irreligious
• godless
• pagan

Examples of nonreligious in a Sentence

grew up in a nonreligious family

a display of nonreligious holiday decorations on municipally owned property

Recent Examples on the Web

The Plain people are known for their ​caution toward government and other nonreligious authority. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026

The rivers of people who crammed central Paris and their joyful enthusiasm rivaled other communal, though nonreligious, moments of celebration that marked France in recent decades. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

The rivers of people who crammed central Paris and their joyful enthusiasm rivaled other communal but nonreligious moments of celebration that marked France in recent decades. — CBS News, 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

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nonreligious

• interreligious
• irreligious
• litigious
• prestigious
• prodigious
• religious