religious 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈli-jəs How to pronounce religious (audio)
Definition of religiousnext
1
as in sacred
of, relating to, or used in the practice or worship services of a religion Johann Sebastian Bach wrote some of the most beautiful religious music in the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pious
showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue a deeply religious woman who eventually decided to quit her job and to become a nun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in passionate
having or expressing great depth of feeling a woman known for embracing various causes with a religious enthusiasm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

religious

2 of 2

noun

as in nun

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 religious
Adjective
However, children can bypass those requirements for religious or health-based reasons. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Most famous are the hijras, who traditionally attended weddings, births, and religious ceremonies across the subcontinent, offering blessings and receiving gifts or alms in return. — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
Noun
As a young religious, Bishop-elect Lombardo did missionary work in Bolivia and Honduras. — Laura Rodríguez Presa, chicagotribune.com, 11 Sep. 2020 See All Example Sentences for religious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for religious
  1. sacred
  2. pious
  3. passionate
  4. nun
  5. spiritual
  6. devout
  7. passional
  8. novice
Adjective
  • This place has a mysterious spiritual atmosphere, shaped by the idea of sacred cosmic energy and stories of warriors who gained supernatural powers through intense training.
    — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Delta musicians also often used call-and-response patterns, which were common in African music and were used in other blues styles and in African American sacred music, including spirituals.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
Definition of sacred
Adjective
  • Philemon and Baucis, a pious Phrygian couple, hospitably received the disguised Zeus and Hermes after their richer neighbors had refused to do so.
    — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026
  • This was 1872, and the pious (and patronizing) commentators of the time muttered that Damien’s unvarnished personality was due to his simple farm upbringing in rural Belgium.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of pious
Adjective
  • Competing in his home country of Canada against top heel champion MJF with a passionate crowd behind him felt like the perfect setting.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Later, their tentative friendship turns into something more passionate — to the dismay of eavesdropping Asla, who realizes she is not the party Helge’s charm was aimed at.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026
Definition of passionate
Noun
  • Ugboaja was released later the same day after intervention from members of Texas’ congressional delegation and public outcry over the detention of a nun wearing her habit on her way to worship.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • Parish officials posting on social media brought attention to Ugboaja’s arrest, and Congress members ultimately intervened on the nun’s behalf.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of nun
Adjective
  • Adding something fun to your at-home altar like an incense holder, a statue of Venus/Aphrodite, or evil eye decor to stay grounded within yourself and embrace your spiritual side this month.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Along the way, cast members sit for personal fate readings and open up about relationships and losses in their own lives, then move into direct contact with shamanic ritual, a practice the format positions as central to Korean spiritual life.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of spiritual
Adjective
  • Musk has his own army of devout followers, too, but the difference is that Musk is constantly miserable, alienating even some of his own followers with his extreme takes.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 July 2026
  • While Auguste and two of Damien’s older sisters, Eugenie and Pauline, were being prepared for religious service by devout Anne-Catherine, Frans wanted Jozef for the farm.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of devout
Adjective
  • At Fox, Collier became known for his passional embrace of blockchain, NFTs and the whole Web3 space.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Nov. 2022
Definition of passional
Noun
  • Knowledgeable bartenders guide novices and obsessives alike, making an overwhelming list feel approachable rather than intimidating.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • With tastings, master classes, wine-and-food pairing seminars, conversations, concerts, and in several cases, auctions, wine festivals offer something for everyone from novice to expert.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 23 July 2026
Definition of novice

Browse Nearby Words

religiose
religious
religiousness
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Cite this Entry

“Religious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/religious. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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