INFIDEL Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

infidel

noun

Definition of 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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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 Al Qaeda and Islamic State generally view Shiites as infidels and consider Iran a mortal enemy. — Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026 For those infidels keeping score at home, exactly one year ago today, Carrnac gazed into his crystal ball and presciently predicted both the acquittal of Karen Read and the conviction of Tania Fernandes Anderson. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025 The group follows an extreme interpretation of Sunni Islam and considers Shiites to be infidels. — Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025 The ideology of the groups appears to categorize anyone not subscribing to their extremist views as infidels, whether Muslims or Christians. — Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infidel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for infidel

Noun

Pentecostal parents Ruth and Marius were accused of domestic violence, with worldwide protests criticizing what dissenters called harsh and hasty steps taken by Norwegian social workers without proper evidence.

— Tomris Laffly, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
The possibility that these faceless leaders might make a deal to prevent being overthrown was dead when the country decided to murder its dissenters before the war began.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of dissenter

Noun

Niger’s ruling junta survived its most serious internal challenge since the 2023 coup after renegade soldiers mutinied in Niamey and Russian Africa Corps fighters helped presidential guards retake a key airbase.

— Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
In some ways, there is a strange kind of unity to these three—all are set during the Depression, all feature stylish renegades.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of renegade

Noun

The military junta has previously been accused of targeting dissidents by detaining human rights defenders and journalists.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Vietnam shows what such content controls can mean for dissidents, including those in exile.

— Jordi Calvet-Bademunt, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of dissident

Browse Nearby Words

infests

infidel

infidelities

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Style

“Infidel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infidel. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of infidel

noun

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