religious 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈli-jəs How to pronounce religious (audio)
Definition of religiousnext
1
as in sacred
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

religious

2 of 2

noun

as in nun

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Dissimilar Words

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
On Monday, a funeral procession will take the body to the city of Qom and then the procession will cross into Iraq where he will be taken to Shia religious sites in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. — Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 4 July 2026 Supporters argue that the gatherings represent a form of devotion untethered from rigid rituals and the gatekeeping normally associated with temples or religious processions. — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
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. sacred
  2. pious
  3. passionate
  4. nun
  5. spiritual
  6. devout
  7. passional
  8. novice
Adjective
  • His larger diagnosis is that the division machine has made every disagreement existential — and that once a political difference becomes sacred, people will rationalize almost anything to defeat the other side.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • But over time, and as reverence for the Revolutionary War generation grew, the political parties sought to prove themselves the truest guardians of the founding principles, transforming it from an argument for independence into a sacred document.
    — Theodore R. Johnson, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
Definition of sacred
Adjective
  • Others regard the unum as a pious myth.
    — James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • However, this distinction did more than pit pious Americans against an atheist enemy.
    — David Williamson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Definition of pious
Adjective
  • Despite the full lineup and passionate patriotic crowd in Seattle, Team USA looked uncomfortable from the start, fell behind early, made sloppy mistakes and could not keep up with the Belgians, who move on to face Spain in the quarterfinals.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • Mexico’s passionate fans blasted horns outside the England hotel to disrupt players’ sleep, and the start of the match was delayed an hour because of a thunderstorm.
    — Carlos Rodriguez, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026
Definition of passionate
Noun
  • Texas lawmakers help secure nun's release As news of Ugboaja's detention spread, members of southern Texas’ congressional delegation called for the nun's release.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Over the last week, the agency has arrested 10,000 people, including a nun in Texas who was later released after outcry from officials, community leaders and activists.
    — Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of nun
Adjective
  • India’s religious and spiritual economy was estimated at roughly $58 billion in 2025, and is projected to grow steadily over the next decade.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Amid a host of synthetic textures, the batá grounds the record in its spiritual reference; only the twins’ perspective changes.
    — Stefanie Fernández, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026
Definition of spiritual
Adjective
  • For a devout convert to Catholicism, Vance has a bumpy history with the Vatican.
    — Paul Elie, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
  • Fearing a loss of their significant clout and influence, devout Protestants revived the earlier campaign to write their faith commitments into the Constitution.
    — David Mislin, The Conversation, 26 June 2026
Definition of devout
Adjective
  • At Fox, Collier became known for his passional embrace of blockchain, NFTs and the whole Web3 space.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Nov. 2022
Definition of passional
Noun
  • The free Apple Photos is approachable for photography novices but still powerful enough to satisfy those who want extra control.
    — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026
  • Authorities say five instructors, five novice tandem jumpers and the pilot died when the Pilatus PC-6 suddenly fell almost vertically near homes after leaving Nancy-Essey airfield.
    — Antonin Utz, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
Definition of novice

Browse Nearby Words

religiose
religious
religiousness
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Cite this Entry

“Religious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/religious. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of religious for Spanish Speakers

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