1
a
: a dissenting or schismatic religious body
especially
: one regarded as extreme or heretical
b
: a religious denomination
2
archaic
: sex sense 1
so is all her sect—
William Shakespeare
William ShakespeareSynonyms
Examples of sect in a Sentence
Noun
one sect of medical researchers holds the minority view that the disease is not caused by that virus
Recent Examples on the Web
Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Feb. 2025
After 2,000 years, his followers have split into thousands of sects, many of whom have shot and killed members of rival sects.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Those living under its rule in a wide arc of Iraq and Syria — particularly members of other religions, or of other sects of Islam — faced horrifying punishments: decapitations, crucifixion, torture.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Newsweek is owned by two former members of the Olivet sect.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sect 
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Noun
In addition to leading one of the most progressive, esoteric, and liberalized sects of Islam, the imam was an accomplished racehorse breeder and proponent of Islamic architecture.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Feb. 2025
After 2,000 years, his followers have split into thousands of sects, many of whom have shot and killed members of rival sects.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Those living under its rule in a wide arc of Iraq and Syria — particularly members of other religions, or of other sects of Islam — faced horrifying punishments: decapitations, crucifixion, torture.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Newsweek is owned by two former members of the Olivet sect.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sect
Dictionary Entries Near sect
Cite this Entry
“Sect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sect. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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