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 This case brings together major themes from recent Supreme Court cases about religion’s role in public life, especially in education. — Mark Satta, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 Those who still practiced formal religion learned out of necessity how to live a more independent spiritual practice. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 About half live in Africa with most in Kenya, where Americans introduced the religion. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026 Oklahoma officials had argued that allowing the school into the program would violate the First Amendment’s establishment clause, which bars the government from establishing a state religion, an argument the judge rejected. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 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
  • One of the first people cast on the show is Jeff Hays, a regular at Crossroads Comics and Art, the voice of the DCC audiobooks and fandom celebrity with a cult following.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Steven Spielberg is returning to Paramount’s cult Transformers franchise alongside longtime producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura and with Michael Bay, long a master of mayhem, in talks to possibly direct the next tentpole for fanboys of vehicles.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of cult
Noun
  • That unease is eroding faith in political leaders and fueling calls for upheaval across the spectrum, from young conservatives to students backing progressive challengers in Michigan.
    — Jacqueline Ganun, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Returning to those stocks is a real leap of faith, but Best Buy has been moving up nicely.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of faith
Noun
  • But those previously mentioned four skills where superhuman performance could suffice to kill all humans (hacking, persuasion, planning and coordination, uninterpretable reasoning) mean that generalization matters only so much.
    — Geoffrey Irving, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • As such, the narratives constructed by mainstream media outlets are not mere reflections of events but active tools of persuasion.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of persuasion
Noun
  • As Nicole refuses the role she’s been taught to play, her mother is forced to confront the cost of building a life around a man who demands devotion but can’t offer safety.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This is the main thrust of Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother — when the rightful aim of that threefold devotion is gone, what fills the void?
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of devotion
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
Definition of creed
Noun
  • While some newly prominent groups (such as those who later became known as Quakers) emphasized love, fellowship and justice, some members of other sects (like the Presbyterians) created new fears, new sins, new tests and new punishments.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Hardwick has worked in every sect of comedy, from the stand-up stage, to acting and writing in television and film, to voiceover work and hosting various podcasts and talk shows such as @midnight and Talking Dead.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of sect

Browse Nearby Words

relights
religion
religionist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Religion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/religion. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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