nonsectarian

adjective

non·​sec·​tar·​i·​an ˌnän-(ˌ)sek-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce nonsectarian (audio)
Synonyms of nonsectariannext
: not having a sectarian character : not affiliated with or restricted to a particular religious group

Examples of nonsectarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
One of those laws, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, states a charter school must be nonsectarian. — Beth Wallis, StateImpact, 10 May 2026 Most recently, in 2022, the Supreme Court said Maine cannot limit a tuition assistance program to nonsectarian schools. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 22 May 2025 The Hungarian state paid for most of it and required Rumbach to also operate as a nonsectarian cultural venue, which is why Fischer performs here. — Joshua Levine, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026 The Dalai Lama’s nonsectarian vision and unifying presence has helped Tibetans in exile avoid the fate of many diaspora communities that fall apart from internal strife, tribal loyalties, and turf wars. — Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nonsectarian

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonsectarian was in 1831

Rhymes for nonsectarian

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Browse Nearby Words

nonsecretory
nonsectarian
nonsecure
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Cite this Entry

“Nonsectarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonsectarian. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nonsectarian

adjective
non·​sec·​tar·​i·​an ˌnän-(ˌ)sek-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce nonsectarian (audio)
: not having a sectarian character : not restricted to a particular religious group

More from Merriam-Webster on nonsectarian

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nonsectarian

Nglish: Translation of nonsectarian for Spanish Speakers

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