as in barbarian
not civilized
old missionaries who mistakenly thought that they were going off to China to tame the heathen hordes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pagan
a person who does not worship the God of the Bible
a study of the beliefs and practices of ancient heathens
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in primitive
an uncivilized person
European colonizers, who considered the New World peoples to be heathens, forced them to conform to European ways
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heathen
Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 30 May 2019
Each essay will identify a contemporary issue, discuss it through the lens of heathen myths, and suggest a solution based on heathen ideals.
—Sigal Samuel, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2017
Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2022
To a heathen media person, Votto is the gift that keeps on giving.
—Paul Daugherty, The Enquirer, 18 Aug. 2021
See All Example Sentences for heathen
Adjective
Some of my brethren and sis-tren (sis-tren?) in the heathen media tribe get all riled up if a player or coach won’t speak to them.
—Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 30 May 2019
Each essay will identify a contemporary issue, discuss it through the lens of heathen myths, and suggest a solution based on heathen ideals.
—Sigal Samuel, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2017
Noun
That behavior was induced by Balaam, the heathen prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Jews.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2022
To a heathen media person, Votto is the gift that keeps on giving.
—Paul Daugherty, The Enquirer, 18 Aug. 2021
See All Example Sentences for heathen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heathen
Adjective
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Ashley Johnson and star/executive producer Travis Willingham tee up what's coming for their soft barbarian lady.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
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Bailey plays half-elf ranger Vex, O’Brien is her twin brother Vax, Willingham is the lovable barbarian Grog, Johnson is the holy gnome cleric Pike, Jaffe is the royal gunslinger Percy, Ray is magical half-elf druid Keyleth and Riegel is the raunchy gnome bard Scanlan.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Valentine's Day pagan connections Lupercalia was a debaucherous festival that celebrated the coming of spring that included animal sacrifices and drunken revelry to honor Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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Valentine's Day pagan connections One of the most common explanations is that Valentine's Day has its origins in the ancient Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia.—
Marina Johnson,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Burlington Antique Show Browse more than 200 dealers of antiques, vintage jewelry, primitives, garden and architectural elements, mid-century collectibles, memorabilia, Americana and retro/vintage furniture at this monthly outdoor antique market.—
Luann Gibbs,
The Enquirer,
14 Aug. 2024
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It can be used to achieve a lot of other cryptographic primitives.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
1 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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The deranged demeanor accompanying her rude responses under oath deserves an Oscar nomination in the cringe and horror categories.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
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But there are also things that are just kind of, 'Well, that’s rude.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Watching Marcia Gay Harden embark on a savage killing spree was not on my cinematic bingo card for 2026.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
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Wade Wilson confessed to the savage murders of two women, yet even that brutality failed to repel admirers.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Bozeman started 33 of 34 regular-season games plus two AFC wild-card playoff games during his tenure with the Chargers.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
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The temperature also drops, wild animals transition to their nocturnal routines and stillness fills the air.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heathen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heathen. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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