as in cults
a body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities
the Jewish religion has followers in many parts of the globe
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Recent Examples of religions
The government dissolved Aum as a tax-exempt religious organization, effectively bankrupting it, and began to scrutinize other new religions, including the Unification Church.
—
E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Like other Christian missionaries in the Western Hemisphere, Franciscans of the day argued that Indigenous peoples needed to abandon their traditional religions as part of the process of conversion.
—Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026
Many Pacific Northwest tribes have subsisted on the fish for millennia and have woven them into their religions and languages.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
There are mystical experiences recorded in all religions, many of which suggest some sort of consciousness beyond all religions.
—Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Singapore is a land of many religions, but everyone seems to go about their business.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
The couple, who have been married since 2014, honor both religions while celebrating the holidays with their two sons, Oliver Finlay and Hugo Wilson.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
There are so many influences in the movie, from Greek myths to Islamic and African religions.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2025
Tyson pointed to other religions' customs, like the Muslim practice of praying five times a day or Catholics attending mass, as significant contributory components to communities here on Earth.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 14 Dec. 2025
E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Like other Christian missionaries in the Western Hemisphere, Franciscans of the day argued that Indigenous peoples needed to abandon their traditional religions as part of the process of conversion.
—Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026
Many Pacific Northwest tribes have subsisted on the fish for millennia and have woven them into their religions and languages.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
There are mystical experiences recorded in all religions, many of which suggest some sort of consciousness beyond all religions.
—Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Singapore is a land of many religions, but everyone seems to go about their business.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
The couple, who have been married since 2014, honor both religions while celebrating the holidays with their two sons, Oliver Finlay and Hugo Wilson.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
There are so many influences in the movie, from Greek myths to Islamic and African religions.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2025
Tyson pointed to other religions' customs, like the Muslim practice of praying five times a day or Catholics attending mass, as significant contributory components to communities here on Earth.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 14 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for religions
Noun
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Any resemblance to real-life movements of the mid-20th century that edged into being considered cults was, er, coincidental.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
22 Jan. 2026
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Based on Jon Krakauer's novel of the same name, Under the Banner of Heaven is a raw, gritty look into the world of fundamentalist Mormonism and the power of cults, all through Pyre's eyes.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Reactions to this tragedy from friends on social media align completely with their political persuasions.—
Gwen Faulkenberry,
Arkansas Online,
15 Jan. 2026
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Voters of all persuasions are feeling the pain, setting in motion a demand for tax fairness that could make 2026 an upset election season.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
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But this year, Christian leaders across sects—including Catholics, Evangelicals, and Baptists—sounded the alarm on AI’s potential impact on family, human relationships, labor, and the church itself.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
23 Dec. 2025
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But Landor’s appeal is backed by dozens of 30 religious and civil rights groups from across the ideological spectrum and representing large and small sects.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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More than a dozen speakers asked Texas’ State Board of Education to include the contributions of people from all cultures, faiths and backgrounds as the board revises state standards for social studies.—
Silas Allen,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Several warned that the promotion of this biblical doctrine will ostracize students of other faiths.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Religions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/religions. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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