as in factions
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
Relevance
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 sects
In Tyre, long held up by locals as a model of coexistence among Lebanon’s various sects, Israeli occupation and bombardment were not weakening Hezbollah’s case for its weapons.
—
Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Netflix has become the place for documentaries about true crime, but also documentaries about cults and sects.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
For one, Israel’s targeting and displacement of the Shiite community in southern Lebanon is likely to create friction among Lebanon’s various religious sects.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Shia Islam is the majority religion in Iran, but the constitution recognizes Sunni Islam, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Christianity as minority sects, with each represented in parliament.
—Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
With 12 Christian sects, the country is home to the largest proportion of Christians of any nation in the Arab world.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Islam has two major sects that are often in conflict.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
His ideas precipitated a tectonic crisis of political legitimacy and unleashed a series of continent-wide wars, sometimes featuring millenarian protocommunist sects like the Anabaptists, who sought to overthrow the social order.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Out of this ethical fog has risen a Silicon Valley theology, split into warring sects.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Netflix has become the place for documentaries about true crime, but also documentaries about cults and sects.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
For one, Israel’s targeting and displacement of the Shiite community in southern Lebanon is likely to create friction among Lebanon’s various religious sects.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Shia Islam is the majority religion in Iran, but the constitution recognizes Sunni Islam, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Christianity as minority sects, with each represented in parliament.
—Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
With 12 Christian sects, the country is home to the largest proportion of Christians of any nation in the Arab world.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Islam has two major sects that are often in conflict.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
His ideas precipitated a tectonic crisis of political legitimacy and unleashed a series of continent-wide wars, sometimes featuring millenarian protocommunist sects like the Anabaptists, who sought to overthrow the social order.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Out of this ethical fog has risen a Silicon Valley theology, split into warring sects.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sects
Noun
-
Sensing this once-great dynasty is in decline, the outback’s most powerful factions — rival cattle barons, desert gangsters, Indigenous elders, and billionaire miners — move in for the kill, with billions of dollars at stake.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took office four years ago with a reputation as a coalition builder — someone capable of bringing competing factions together to achieve a common goal.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Those looking for a special Saturday ritual will delight in the seasonal tea that takes place in the lobby lounge for parties of six or less.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
-
In Seattle, Nordstrom will support Summer of Sports at Westlake Park – a free, open-to-the-public outdoor viewing destination with a Nordstrom VIP area, marquee matchups and food and drink, including watch parties on each of the tournament’s six Seattle match dates.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sects. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
