infidel

as in dissenter
disapproving a person who does not believe in a religion that someone regards as the true religion The theocracy regarded as infidels anyone that did not practice their religion.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of infidel Some of their treasured possessions—bicycles, snowboards, trophies—would identify them as infidels and put their lives in danger. Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 5 Nov. 2024 The rhetoric of declaring others infidels, marginalization, and violence continues. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 The infidels’ free speech or their indoor plumbing and electricity? Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2025 Some, steeped in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, even viewed Israel as an infidel transgressor. Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for infidel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infidel
Noun
  • The leader of the Catholic Church in southeast Michigan has abruptly fired three professors at a Detroit seminary who were critical of Pope Francis, the latest move by Archbishop of Detroit Edward Weisenburger that cracks down on conservative dissenters.
    Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • When supporters of the old Anglican order sought to impose a new church tax in 1784, dissenters reacted with outrage.
    Time, Time, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • And, of course, my fantasy went right to some kind of renegade character along the lines of Saw Gerrera.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 16 May 2025
  • The director Doris Wishman was a renegade: a woman who made lurid exploitation films at a time when American underground cinema was a man’s playground.
    Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • No one ever converted an unbeliever with harshness, condemnation, and threats of hell.
    Sophia A. Nelson, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • An app called Krishna, for example, has already advised killing unbelievers and supporting India's ruling party.
    Scott Shapiro, WIRED, 8 Jan. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Infidel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infidel. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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