CULT Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

cult

noun

ˈkəlt

Definition of cult

as in audience

a group of people showing intense devotion to a cause, person, or work (as a film) long after it had gone off the air, the TV series continued to have a huge cult

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in religion

a body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities an ancient cult that centered on the worship of the earth as the source of all life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 cult Also in this week’s Screen Gab, our writers recommend a documentary about a saga surrounding one of the greatest hip-hop groups of all time and a cult-classic horror film that’s perfect for spooky season. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 People are really worried that the younger generations are [drawn to] these new cults. — Tomris Laffly, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 Watch On In this Canadian cult classic that doubles as a coming-of-age story, a sardonic goth transforms into a werewolf in the days leading up to Halloween and terrifies her younger sister. — David Faris, TheWeek, 22 Oct. 2026 His cult was widespread in ancient Anatolia throughout the Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cult

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cult

Noun

Our mission is to take bold Asian stories to audiences worldwide, and a family film told through the world’s most popular sport is built to travel.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
For a brand now selling to a mass audience rather than early adopters, waiting for proof can be the safer bet.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of audience

Noun

When designing any law, legislators take into account the First Amendment, which protects, among other rights, freedom of speech, religion and the press.

— Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Claiming that they are being harshly discriminated against due to their religion and conservative beliefs, the couple asks help from Mia, an attorney, to represent their case in the Norwegian court.

— Tomris Laffly, Time, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of religion

Browse Nearby Words

culprits

cult

cultist

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cult. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cult

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on cult

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes