religious 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈli-jəs How to pronounce religious (audio)
Definition of religiousnext
1
as in spiritual
of, relating to, or used in the practice or worship services of a religion Johann Sebastian Bach wrote some of the most beautiful religious music in the world

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2
as in pious
showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue a deeply religious woman who eventually decided to quit her job and to become a nun

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in passionate
having or expressing great depth of feeling a woman known for embracing various causes with a religious enthusiasm

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

religious

2 of 2

noun

as in nun

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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 religious
Adjective
And in the middle is a holiday associated with merry drinking and a centuries-old religious figure: St. Patrick's Day. — Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025 In the swelling worshiping milieu, the transactional nature of politics is washed away in a hot potion of religious fervor. — John Scott Lewinski, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
As a young religious, Bishop-elect Lombardo did missionary work in Bolivia and Honduras. — Laura Rodríguez Presa, chicagotribune.com, 11 Sep. 2020 See All Example Sentences for religious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for religious
  1. spiritual
  2. pious
  3. passionate
  4. nun
  5. sacred
  6. devout
  7. novice
  8. liturgical
Adjective
  • This could be a powerful time of emotional release or perhaps discovering something that shifts your perspective — maybe even a spiritual awakening.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Private Collection is a labor of love for both artists — relaxed in the grooves, spiritual in the rhymes.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of spiritual
Adjective
  • The grieving sisters try to uncover the truth about what happened to Grace, and increasingly suspect Roger’s pious, overbearing sister Angelica (Fiona Shaw) of wrongdoing — but turn out to be (mostly) wrong about her intentions.
    — Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Advertisement Nazanin goes through the same preparations as Salme, who has turned supremely pious in the intervening years, and Zari, who has grown more level-headed, not to say jaded.
    — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Definition of pious
Adjective
  • Despite some of the passionate opposition, the committee voted 6-2 in favor of the bill on Tuesday.
    — Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Beyond his impressive accomplishments on the field, Jake brings a passionate, competitive spirit and leadership qualities that align perfectly with our organizational values.
    — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of passionate
Noun
  • One of the major funders of the move is the Immaculate Heart Community, the independent group formed when the nuns in Kent’s order splintered from the Catholic Church.
    — Scarlet Cheng, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
  • In February, Ellingham wrote about the nuns of Tyburn Convent, who live in near-silence a few minutes from Selfridges, the department store, and the permanent bustle of Oxford Street.
    — Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of nun
Adjective
  • The right to seek legal redress and the right of the press to report on it are sacred principles that are protected by multiple privileges, including the litigation and fair report privileges, which are absolute.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
  • On May 19, 2022, two astrophotographers set up near the sacred lake of Pumoyongcuo on the southern Tibetan Plateau captured a vibrant display streaking across the Himalayan sky.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of sacred
Adjective
  • The filmmaker-actor will portray a fearless inspector characterized as a devout follower of the Hindu God Ayyappa with zero tolerance for corruption.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The pontiff is resting, the Vatican's press office said publicly on Wednesday morning, in one of its twice-daily updates that have drawn the close attention of devout Catholics worldwide.
    — Willem Marx, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of devout
Noun
  • Despite his impressive resume that spans two Group of Seven central banks and major investment firms, Carney is a political novice.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Probationary employees aren't necessarily novices, though.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of novice
Adjective
  • To that liturgical point, the headgear is a magnificent melange of an Uzbek Karakul cap, an Eastern Orthodox bishop’s flat-topped mitre, and some ancient Persian polo headgear.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Mardi Gras is truly a global phenomenon and every celebration is different, even if they are all tied to the liturgical calendar and the same principal of wild revelry.
    — Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 23 Jan. 2025
Definition of liturgical

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Cite this Entry

“Religious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/religious. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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