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
These women practiced conjure, a spiritual tradition that blended West African religions with Christianity in the deep and low-country South.
—
Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
It’s also filled with striking visuals (courtesy of cinematographer Leung Ming Kai) that capture the beauty of a region in which different ethnicities (Chinese, Thai, Malaysian) and religions (Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam) have coexisted for decades.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Children unfamiliar with the world in time become easy marks for the dealers in fascist politics and quack religions.
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Both Leader and Walton’s works saw a rise in popularity in the 70s as many women became interested in pagan religions, which often depicted female mythological figures as powerful and complex.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Initially a religious event, Diwali has evolved over the years into a festive occasion, much like Christmas and Hannukkah, with people of all communities and religions joining in to celebrate.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
Experts agree that other religions, including Muslims, are also affected by the terrorism sweeping the country, but multiple advocates still believe that Christians are being disproportionately targeted for their religion, especially in the Middle Belt.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Alejandro and his band embrace bomba even more here, dedicating the album’s opener to the genre and leaning into its Afro-Puerto Rican origins and ties to African religions.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
The region’s 700 million people speak hundreds of languages and follow different religions, and its 11 countries vary in political system, size, geography, and level of economic development.
—Susannah Patton, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
It’s also filled with striking visuals (courtesy of cinematographer Leung Ming Kai) that capture the beauty of a region in which different ethnicities (Chinese, Thai, Malaysian) and religions (Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam) have coexisted for decades.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Children unfamiliar with the world in time become easy marks for the dealers in fascist politics and quack religions.
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Both Leader and Walton’s works saw a rise in popularity in the 70s as many women became interested in pagan religions, which often depicted female mythological figures as powerful and complex.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Initially a religious event, Diwali has evolved over the years into a festive occasion, much like Christmas and Hannukkah, with people of all communities and religions joining in to celebrate.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
Experts agree that other religions, including Muslims, are also affected by the terrorism sweeping the country, but multiple advocates still believe that Christians are being disproportionately targeted for their religion, especially in the Middle Belt.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Alejandro and his band embrace bomba even more here, dedicating the album’s opener to the genre and leaning into its Afro-Puerto Rican origins and ties to African religions.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
The region’s 700 million people speak hundreds of languages and follow different religions, and its 11 countries vary in political system, size, geography, and level of economic development.
—Susannah Patton, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for religions
Noun
-
Whitewashed cults of martyrdom have sprung up around the January 6th rioters and Charlie Kirk.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
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Is there a timeline, a regulatory environment, in which the internet does not turn into a highly efficient manufacturer of niche suicide cults?—
Daniel Kolitz,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Just like there are many sects of Judaism or Christianity, there are many ways to be Muslim.—
Deena ElGenaidi,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
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And Hezbollah, as the most heavily armed and violent element of Lebanon’s menagerie of factions and sects, wanted the guns without the responsibility.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Even as America becomes more polarized, the workplace is one spot where people from all different faiths regularly interact, giving rise to the potential for conflict.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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Imam Abdullah El-Amin engaged with people of various faiths to promote inclusion while running the Muslim Center in Detroit.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Religions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/religions. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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