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
For four nights, Rio’s top samba schools, of which there are more than 100, perform to themes of their choosing—this past year, many were related to Afro-Brazilian religions.
—
Marta Tucci, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Different cultures and religions have various ways of explaining these experiences.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
The government argues Christians are some of the many groups across all religions falling victim to terrorists operating in the country.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Marta Tucci, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Different cultures and religions have various ways of explaining these experiences.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
The government argues Christians are some of the many groups across all religions falling victim to terrorists operating in the country.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for religions
Noun
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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 7 Nov. 2025.
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