sect

noun

ˈsekt How to pronounce sect (audio)
Definition of sectnext
as in faction
a group of people acting together within a larger group one sect of medical researchers holds the minority view that the disease is not caused by that virus

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 sect Luke, by contrast, is intent on reconciling Christianity with Roman rule—or, at least, demonstrating that this nascent sect poses no threat to the Empire. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 Amanda, a 34-year-old mother of two, lives in Pennsylvania in a community which is home to many Mennonites, a Christian sect which tends to eschew vaccination. — Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025 Rights groups say that hundreds of civilians -- mostly from the Alawite minority sect to which Assad belongs -- were killed by factions in retaliation. — arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025 Both areas are home to Syria's Alawite community, the small Islamic sect to which the Assad family belongs, and have been a focus of security concerns amid Sharaa's rise to power. — Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sect
  1. faction
  2. party
  3. wing
  4. side
Noun
  • The faction can be traced back to WWE in May 2020, initially established as The Hurt Business, featuring MVP, Lashley, Benjamin, and later Cedric Alexander.
    — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Paxton, a figure in the Texas GOP’s rising far-right faction, has long traded barbs with Cornyn, representative of the state party’s old guard.
    — Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of faction
Noun
  • The outlet reported that Sanchez had two engagement parties – one in Beverly Hills and another in Positano, Italy.
    — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Katherine Heigl is planning her gift for Jeffrey Dean Morgan's 60th birthday party (the actor turns 59 in April).
    — EW.com, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of party
Noun
  • The Knicks settled on running more offense through Anunoby and Bridges, the pair of wings who kept the offense humming with the All-Star and captain out due to injury.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • All-Star wing Jalen Williams finished with 16 points but on 4-of-14 shooting to go with six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
    — Khobi Price, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of wing
Noun
  • This April 3, 2025, photo taken at the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, shows fragments of the Japanese Zero fighter that a kamikaze pilot flew into the side of the USS Missouri during the Battle of Okinawa on April 11, 1945.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The Jersey City Police Department is taking the lead on the investigation since the helicopter crashed on the Jersey City side of the river, Fulop told WABC on Thursday.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of side

Browse Nearby Words

secrets
sect
sectarian
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Cite this Entry

“Sect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sect. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sect

Nglish: Translation of sect for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sect

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