Sunni
noun
Sun·ni
ˈsu̇(n)-(ˌ)nē 
1
: the Muslims of the branch of Islam that adheres to the orthodox tradition and acknowledges the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad compare shia
2
: a Sunni Muslim
Sunni
adjective
Examples of Sunni in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The group embraces Sunni Islamist ideology that seeks to establish a global caliphate, a global Islamic state governed by a strict interpretation of Sharia law.
—
Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 3 Jan. 2025
But in Homs, which has a diverse population of Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as Christians and Alawites, a relatively peaceful Christmas in the Christian suburb of Fayrouzeh appeared to help assuage some fears.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 31 Dec. 2024
Tony Blinken said the U.S. has been in direct contact with Sunni Islamist opposition group HTS, which led the revolution that toppled Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 30 Dec. 2024
But Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Sunni groups that Iran supports, congratulated the Syrian rebels of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Islamist group, on their victory over Assad.
—Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Sunni 
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.
Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 3 Jan. 2025
But in Homs, which has a diverse population of Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as Christians and Alawites, a relatively peaceful Christmas in the Christian suburb of Fayrouzeh appeared to help assuage some fears.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 31 Dec. 2024
Tony Blinken said the U.S. has been in direct contact with Sunni Islamist opposition group HTS, which led the revolution that toppled Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 30 Dec. 2024
But Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Sunni groups that Iran supports, congratulated the Syrian rebels of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Islamist group, on their victory over Assad.
—Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Sunni
Dictionary Entries Near Sunni
Cite this Entry
“Sunni.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sunni. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Sunni
noun
Sun·ni
ˈsu̇n-(n)ē
plural Sunnis or Sunni
1
: one of the two main branches of Islam
2
: a Muslim who is a member of the Sunni branch of Islam
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share