Synonyms of secular

secular 1 of 2

adjective

ˈse-kyə-lər 

as in temporal

not involving religion or religious matters

that's an issue for the secular authorities, not the church

Synonyms & Similar Words

• temporal
• nonreligious
• physical
• profane
• pagan
• atheistic
• irreligious
• godless
• mundane
• nondenominational
• nonsectarian
• corporal
• earthly
• religionless
• worldly
• lay
• terrestrial
• nonclerical
• laical
• blasphemous
• bodily
• substantial
• irreverent
• paganish
• impious
• sacrilegious
• carnal
• material
• unconsecrated
• terrene
• unhallowed
• fleshly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• religious
• spiritual
• sacred
• divine
• holy
• pious
• devout
• sacrosanct
• godly
• metaphysical
• consecrated
• reverent
• hallowed
• prayerful
• worshipful
• insubstantial
• ethereal
• immaterial
• churchly
• sanctified
• unsubstantial
• nonphysical
• incorporeal
• bodiless

secular

2 of 2

noun

as in layman

Related Words

• layman
• layperson
• lay reader
• lector

Dissimilar Words

• priest
• clerical
• preacher
• ecclesiastic
• minister
• cleric
• divine
• reverend
• clerk
• deacon
• clergyman
• dominie
• father
• churchman
• clergyperson
• padre
• priestess
• Holy Joe
• deaconess
• clergywoman

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of secular

Adjective

Country selection within the emerging market universe matters more when secular supply chain relocation is driving differentiated growth across individual economies. — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

The cinemas were filled with diverse crowds, Jews and Arabs, secular and religious citizens, locals and internationals. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 20 July 2026

Noun

There was a change of heart among the secular nationalists during the second intifada—which started in 2000 and ended in 2005—in which seculars also joined forces. — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2023

His selection of works, for example, mixed the sacred with the secular, interspersing chorale preludes (which use Lutheran hymns as their point of departure) with the six trio sonatas for organ. — Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Dec. 2022

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