ATHEISM Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

atheism

noun

Definition of atheism

as in godlessness

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 atheism Beginning in the 1870s, atheism and indifference to religion became popular, especially among younger intellectuals. — David Mislin, The Conversation, 26 June 2026 Soviet atheism failed to erase it. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 At the same time, evangelists of a robust atheism—figures such as the biologist Richard Dawkins, the critic Christopher Hitchens, and the neuroscientist Sam Harris—toured the country offending salt-of-the-earth Americans with their contempt for religious belief. — Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 Although atheism is often associated with hyperrationality, this form of it is unapologetically irrational. — Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atheism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atheism

Noun

Model agnosticism without hardware agnosticism is only half the answer.

— Luke Norris, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
If agnosticism can be encapsulated in a guitar solo, White has pulled that off.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 11 July 2026

Definition of agnosticism

Noun

My own passage into and back out of unbelief—one marked by a close reading of works that earlier illiberal societies had attempted to suppress on religious grounds—has strengthened my liberal commitments.

— Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
But the indirect benefits seem to reflect a posture against green energy, related to unbelief in climate change, and these lead to support for inefficient energy alternatives like nuclear and geothermal and gas-fired turbines.

— Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

Definition of unbelief

Noun

Vanderbilt looked at referees in disbelief when he was called for a flop.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Jonah investigates without actually being employed by the police, and a few other preposterous scenes will undoubtedly force viewers to suspend disbelief.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of disbelief

Noun

There will without a doubt be moments and instances when an injury will create challenges, like Sunday’s absence of Kaydn Proctor, who is sidelined with a concussion this week, and replaced by Jarrett Kingston.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026
The eighteen-meter-tall brick curve that encases the altar has a tremendous body, nearly ominous in its presence, that imparts an intuitive understanding—even amid the doubt—that what provides shelter necessarily does so through strength.

— Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of doubt

Browse Nearby Words

at hand

atheism

atheisms

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Atheism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atheism. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of atheism

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on atheism

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

wabi-sabi

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes