as in religions
a body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities
an ancient cult that centered on the worship of the earth as the source of all life
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Recent Examples of cults
Based on Jon Krakauer's novel of the same name, Under the Banner of Heaven is a raw, gritty look into the world of fundamentalist Mormonism and the power of cults, all through Pyre's eyes.
—
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Galt says that throughout the long postproduction process, to the best of his memory, Kubrick never once hinted at any real-life cults.
—Lane Brown, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
But there is plenty of humor that plays at the expense of transgender people, ethnic minorities, women, gay men, religious cults and Fabio.
—Phil Stark, HollywoodReporter, 4 Dec. 2025
Which is not to say that there are no parallels with cults.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
Whitewashed cults of martyrdom have sprung up around the January 6th rioters and Charlie Kirk.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Is there a timeline, a regulatory environment, in which the internet does not turn into a highly efficient manufacturer of niche suicide cults?
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Teaming with a colorful cast of characters, their investigation sends them on an expedition that takes in Scottish politics, AI, cults, secret agents, smugglers, and vegan record shops.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
The origins of that industry really are self-help cults from the '70s that use these really kind of barbaric behavioral therapy modification programs.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Galt says that throughout the long postproduction process, to the best of his memory, Kubrick never once hinted at any real-life cults.
—Lane Brown, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
But there is plenty of humor that plays at the expense of transgender people, ethnic minorities, women, gay men, religious cults and Fabio.
—Phil Stark, HollywoodReporter, 4 Dec. 2025
Which is not to say that there are no parallels with cults.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
Whitewashed cults of martyrdom have sprung up around the January 6th rioters and Charlie Kirk.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Is there a timeline, a regulatory environment, in which the internet does not turn into a highly efficient manufacturer of niche suicide cults?
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Teaming with a colorful cast of characters, their investigation sends them on an expedition that takes in Scottish politics, AI, cults, secret agents, smugglers, and vegan record shops.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
The origins of that industry really are self-help cults from the '70s that use these really kind of barbaric behavioral therapy modification programs.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cults
religions
Noun
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Many Pacific Northwest tribes have subsisted on the fish for millennia and have woven them into their religions and languages.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
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There are mystical experiences recorded in all religions, many of which suggest some sort of consciousness beyond all religions.—
Christian Wiman,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cults.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cults. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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