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
Their cinematic pairing has delivered a true thriller in a fascinating setting with the world of cults and their hold on those most vulnerable.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 15 May 2026
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
Netflix has become the place for documentaries about true crime, but also documentaries about cults and sects.
—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
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 15 May 2026
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
Netflix has become the place for documentaries about true crime, but also documentaries about cults and sects.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cults
religions
Noun
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The limited range of religions represented at Rededicate 250 has drawn criticism from Mathewes and others, who say the event does not grasp the dynamic spectrum of faiths America has come to represent over its 250 years.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
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White bison are considered sacred and hold great significance in many Native American religions, according to the National Park Service.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cults.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cults. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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