atheism

noun

athe·​ism ˈā-thē-ˌi-zəm 

1

a

: a lack of belief or a strong disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods

b

: a philosophical or religious position characterized by disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods

2

archaic : godlessness especially in conduct : ungodliness, wickedness

Examples of atheism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And there will also be those who are very religious about their atheism. —Mike Woodruff, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025

In their public rhetoric, the couple also adopted the discourse of televangelists after professing their atheism for many years. —Gioconda Belli, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2018

Look, $100 million on initiatives like expanding atheism in Nepal. —Linda Qiu, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025

Among his biggest criticisms is the discovery that a $500,000 grant to a humanist group may have been misused to promote atheism in Nepal and Asia while it was intended to promote religious freedom. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for atheism

• peroxisome

Kids Definition

atheism

noun

athe·​ism ˈā-thē-ˌiz-əm 

: the belief that there is no God

atheist

-thē-əst

noun

atheistic

ˌā-thē-ˈis-tik

adjective