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
There is an overlap of subject matter in these two books—cults, obviously, but also both involve thinking about why there seemed to be such a proliferation of them in the 1970s.
—
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
Today, these worshippers seek to revive the cults of mother deities in order to return to this harmonious way of life.
—Marie-Claire Beaulieu, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
This all-new podcast takes listeners to the small town of Elberton, GA and on a wild ride through granite quarries, graves, cults, Confederate monuments, a swatting raid, and A LOT of explosives.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Viewers can expect coverage of alien conferences, crypto-cults and micronations.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
So if all those people who are joining cults would just join community theaters instead?
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
The documentary follows Christine Marie, a former fundamentalist who became an expert in cults, and her husband, Tolga Katas, embedding themselves among the Samuelite Group with the hopes of garnering evidence to bring to the police.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
Directed by Dretzin, False Prophet began in earnest with Christine Marie, a former fundamentalist who became an expert in cults, and her videographer husband, Tolga Katas, moving to Short Creek and embedding themselves amongst the local sect.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
The difference between the FLDS and most other cults is that people are born into it.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
Today, these worshippers seek to revive the cults of mother deities in order to return to this harmonious way of life.
—Marie-Claire Beaulieu, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
This all-new podcast takes listeners to the small town of Elberton, GA and on a wild ride through granite quarries, graves, cults, Confederate monuments, a swatting raid, and A LOT of explosives.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Viewers can expect coverage of alien conferences, crypto-cults and micronations.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
So if all those people who are joining cults would just join community theaters instead?
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
The documentary follows Christine Marie, a former fundamentalist who became an expert in cults, and her husband, Tolga Katas, embedding themselves among the Samuelite Group with the hopes of garnering evidence to bring to the police.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
Directed by Dretzin, False Prophet began in earnest with Christine Marie, a former fundamentalist who became an expert in cults, and her videographer husband, Tolga Katas, moving to Short Creek and embedding themselves amongst the local sect.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
The difference between the FLDS and most other cults is that people are born into it.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cults
religions
Noun
-
Representatives from various religions, including Baha’i, Christian, Jewish, Islamic and Essene faiths, will be offering music and prayers.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
In addition, all religions are welcome in the church, Hawkinson noted.—
Myrna Petlicki,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cults.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cults. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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