as in faction
a group of people acting together within a larger group
one sect of medical researchers holds the minority view that the disease is not caused by that virus
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sect
The drumbeat of Christian war imagery has ignited dangerous conspiracies about Jews, such as Tucker Carlson’s contention that the Chabad-Lubavitch sect of Judaism secretly started the war.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
When investigative journalist infiltrates the group, the noose around the sect begins to tighten.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Out of this ethical fog has risen a Silicon Valley theology, split into warring sects.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
The hair-whipping, chest-thumping church founder uprooted her polarizing sect from Manchester, England, to Manhattan before fleeing farther still into the countryside.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sect
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
When investigative journalist infiltrates the group, the noose around the sect begins to tighten.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Out of this ethical fog has risen a Silicon Valley theology, split into warring sects.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
The hair-whipping, chest-thumping church founder uprooted her polarizing sect from Manchester, England, to Manhattan before fleeing farther still into the countryside.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sect
Noun
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Loosely aligned factions have operated under its name, allowing the organization to expand and adapt even as authorities targeted its leadership.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Syria policy and sanctions questions The report also examines Turkey’s role in Syria, where the country backed opposition forces during the civil war, supporting a range of armed factions, including groups that later formed the Syrian National Army.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Crowds were relatively small last month, especially compared to March weekends in the years after the COVID pandemic, when thousands of young people packed Ocean Drive and the party was sullied by shootings, stampedes and curfews.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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It was defeated on a straight party-line vote, and our highly ideological legislature kept the gap between Title IX and Colorado law unresolved.—
Lisa Frizell,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Her departure only adds to the rebuilding job head coach Mark Campbell will need to do this off-season as TCU must replace Big 12 Player of the Year Olivia Miles and first team All-Big 12 forward Marta Suarez along with starting wing Taylor Bigby.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2026
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The low cloud ceiling made rotary-wing insertion difficult.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Being gentle with yourself is a form of bravery, so go ahead and indulge your softer side.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
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Woods, 50, had to climb out of the passenger's side door of his Land Rover in the wake of the March 27 crash on Jupiter Island, because the car had flipped onto its side after clipping the trailer attached to a pickup truck driving in front of him, according to the arrest report.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sect. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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