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
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
Young girls being swept away with various cults.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
There is a prevalent sentiment among documentary filmmakers that most streamers and distributors are only interested in projects about the three C's — cults, crime and celebrities.
—Davi Merchan, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026
Nearby, someone was selling books about how to escape cults.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
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
Young girls being swept away with various cults.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
There is a prevalent sentiment among documentary filmmakers that most streamers and distributors are only interested in projects about the three C's — cults, crime and celebrities.
—Davi Merchan, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026
Nearby, someone was selling books about how to escape cults.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cults
religions
Noun
-
This was in contrast with religions that argued their doctrine exclusively expressed the truth.—
Derek Arnold,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Detainees are given the opportunity to practice their religions.—
Nick Caloway,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cults.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cults. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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