religion

noun

ri-ˈli-jən How to pronounce religion (audio)
Definition of religionnext
1
as in cult
a body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities the Jewish religion has followers in many parts of the globe

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faith
belief and trust in and loyalty to God without his religion, he would not have been able to survive all the difficulties he has faced over the years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 religion Tension around the role of religion in these schools was matched by a clash between the Japanese community and the white business and political elite in Hawaii. — H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 21 Aug. 2026 By the Monitor's Editorial Board In much of the Middle East, politics and security are closely intertwined with religion and ethnicity. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 The ideological fertility gap remained even after controlling for other variables that may influence family size, such as religion, race, income, age, marital status, and education. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026 The restrictions apply to everyone regardless of religion or nationality. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for religion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for religion
  1. cult
  2. faith
  3. persuasion
  4. devotion
  5. creed
  6. sect
Noun
  • Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor cinematic experience, has unveiled its spooky lineup for the month of October, where horror fans will be able to watch some of their favorite cult films among the dead at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
    — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Ira Gorawara wrote a heartwarming story about how international students land at American colleges and get indoctrinated into the cult of college football.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of cult
Noun
  • While the public messaging centered on their faith in Painter, the organization had concerns that Painter had not yet made the proper adjustments to succeed in the majors.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The organization has formed a coalition with 70 other groups, including faith leaders, business executives, unions and other voting rights advocates.
    — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of faith
Noun
  • Every persuasion surface the industry spent 30 years perfecting sits on a journey the customer no longer takes.
    — Himanshu Sinha, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Only Democrats filed to run for the seat, which opened the race to voters of all persuasions and set up Tuesday’s results to be the last word in the campaign.
    — Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of persuasion
Noun
  • This is one of the BEST ways to recreate the communal devotion that the Premier League inspires.
    — Matt Piper, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • His devotion changed when his father, Henry, introduced him to parlay cards – the pencil and paper betting sheets where picking multiple winners meant a nice little payout.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of devotion
Noun
  • This deep integration of business and philanthropy showcases a powerful commitment to community upliftment, serving diverse patrons and embodying a timeless creed of giving back.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • In that scene at the end, when the brass band is playing, and everyone’s walking together, all shapes and sizes, colors, creeds, that’s where hope lives.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Definition of creed
Noun
  • The name Anthony Bourdain means a great deal to a large sect of food and drink lovers.
    — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In 1842, the appellate court reduced the offense from a premeditated breach of duty to a negligent one, acquitted Ebel of founding a sect, and quashed his confinement.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of sect

Browse Nearby Words

relights
religion
religionist
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Cite this Entry

“Religion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/religion. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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