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
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Recent Examples of sect
Lee went on to found a Christian sect known as the Shakers, with the movie depicting the movement's eventual move to New York in Colonial-era United States history.
—
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026
Sharia is the moral code for followers of Islam, but the interpretation and administration varies based on different sects, communities, countries and individuals, according to the Council for American-Islamic Relations.
—Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
While the massive parking structures and upcoming 5,000-seat concert hall might grab your attention, the real soul of the project, at least for the food sect, is taking shape under a mass timber office building christened The Weave.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
Esty Shapiro, a 19-year-old woman from a Hasidic Jewish sect in Brooklyn, pockets a secret wad of cash, picks up a passport, and hops on a plane to Berlin, all set to the tense soundtrack of a thriller.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sect
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026
Sharia is the moral code for followers of Islam, but the interpretation and administration varies based on different sects, communities, countries and individuals, according to the Council for American-Islamic Relations.
—Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
While the massive parking structures and upcoming 5,000-seat concert hall might grab your attention, the real soul of the project, at least for the food sect, is taking shape under a mass timber office building christened The Weave.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
Esty Shapiro, a 19-year-old woman from a Hasidic Jewish sect in Brooklyn, pockets a secret wad of cash, picks up a passport, and hops on a plane to Berlin, all set to the tense soundtrack of a thriller.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sect
Noun
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Though the agreement was widely celebrated, the prospects for peace were quickly questioned because the deal didn’t include all warring factions.—
ABC NEWS,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Security analyst David Saucedo told CNN that such a scenario was highly likely – and warned that even if factions in the cartel could come to an agreement, that still might not rule out the possibility of further violence.—
Sol Amaya,
CNN Money,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Early voting data suggest a notable uptick in early Democratic turnout, which could point to a continuing trend of strong enthusiasm among the party’s base.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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But Cornyn's precarious stature as an incumbent vulnerable in his own party's primary has been the focus of a majority of the massive sums spent by both sides in the run up to March 3.—
THOMAS BEAUMONT,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group said the commander of its military wing in Lebanon was also killed in an airstrike south of Beirut overnight.—
FADI TAWIL,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
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Researchers note that machine-to-animal comparisons are complex, but the data confirm that this sensing wing far outperforms current underwater technology in maintaining balance against sudden disturbances.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Instead, production took place at Tompkins Square Park, on the east side of Manhattan, which more resembles Battery Park in the ’90s.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
27 Feb. 2026
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The two sides have reported differing casualty figures.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sect. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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