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

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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

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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 The religion was founded in the 19th century in Persia, now Iran, and its practicing members represent less than 1 percent of the country’s population. — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026 That holds true for praying daily, viewing religion as very important and identifying with a religion. — Hannah Sampson, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026 More than anything, what bothered Swift were claims to certainty, of fervency either in religion or rationality. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026 Lula’s victory is just one more example of how race intersects all facets of Brazilian society, including religion. — John Thomas Iii, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for religion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for religion
Noun
  • Among the chief monuments investigated by the Czech mission are the tombs of a man called Sabu and his son Ptahshepses, both of whom were high-ranking officials associated with the cult of Ptah at Memphis.
    — Anne Doran for ARTnews, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The live-action film was offbeat enough to have gained a cult following in the years since its release, but at the time, was largely regarded as a flop.
    — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Other faith groups have been encouraging civic participation as well.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Here, the architecture distributes the congregation into a half circle, gathering them around the matter of their faith as a question rather than as an assertion.
    — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • None of this has to do with persuasion tactics or clever scripts.
    — Dr. Sariki Abungwo, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • For generations, Americans of every political persuasion have chosen to safeguard extraordinary places for everyone who would come after them.
    — Mary Beth Laughton, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • And the Joe’s devotion to its customers won’t wane, Sawitz said, adding that the restaurant will never turn away anybody who shows up at the back door desperate for something to eat, a longtime unwritten rule.
    — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Some of Lakshmana’s actions complicate an idealized portrayal of his devotion.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The seven-word message became the Washington Commanders’ game-day creed in 2024 and has hung around ever since — literally.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Few eras of Greek history compare to the ancient times that the country has become so synonymous with—the cinematic fables of Odysseus, comic-book lore of Leonidas, and philosophic creeds of Socrates are ever-present in pop culture.
    — Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • One of the docs, Father’s House, uses actors, namely Trine Dyrholm, David Dencik and Emma Sehested Høeg, for reenactments of former members’ experiences inside the controlling Christian sect.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
  • People with the second phenotype, called durable, might have grown up in a predictable world—for example, a strict religious sect or just a family that experienced little change—and developed only certain coping strategies as a result.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Religion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/religion. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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