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
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
Over the course of its wildly wonderful seven seasons, the CW series saw its cast solve murders, face off against cults, go to prison, fight bears, go back in time, and gain superpowers — and, somehow, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 2 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
A lot of those schools evolved from self-help cults in the 1970s, like Synanon.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
There such a rich history of films about cults.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Unlike cults, whose followers tend to idolize a leader and cut themselves off from society, sovereign citizens operate independently and hold different views about which laws apply to them.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
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
Over the course of its wildly wonderful seven seasons, the CW series saw its cast solve murders, face off against cults, go to prison, fight bears, go back in time, and gain superpowers — and, somehow, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 2 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
A lot of those schools evolved from self-help cults in the 1970s, like Synanon.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
There such a rich history of films about cults.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Unlike cults, whose followers tend to idolize a leader and cut themselves off from society, sovereign citizens operate independently and hold different views about which laws apply to them.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cults
religions
Noun
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Both Leader and Walton’s works saw a rise in popularity in the 70s as many women became interested in pagan religions, which often depicted female mythological figures as powerful and complex.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
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Initially a religious event, Diwali has evolved over the years into a festive occasion, much like Christmas and Hannukkah, with people of all communities and religions joining in to celebrate.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cults.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cults. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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