Sunni
noun
Sun·ni
ˈsu̇(n)-(ˌ)nē 
1
: the Muslims of the branch of Islam that adheres to the orthodox tradition and acknowledges the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad compare shia
2
: a Sunni Muslim
Sunni
adjective
Examples of Sunni in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Assad family, members of the minority Alawite sect, ruled Syria for over half a century until Assad was ousted late last year by Sunni Islamist militants who sought to reshape the country’s political and sectarian order.
—
Eyad Kourdi, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
The husband and wife duo took their kids Michael, 18, — his girlfriend, Sunni Gaines — Brendan, 16, and Grace, 15, on a trip to Paris, France.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
At the Imam Ali Ibn Talib mosque in the Alawite neighborhood of Wadi Dhahab in Homs, Alawite and Sunni prayergoers intermingle.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Feb. 2025
In Cairo, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the seat of Sunni learning who forged a close bond with Francis, wished him well.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Sunni
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.
Eyad Kourdi, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
The husband and wife duo took their kids Michael, 18, — his girlfriend, Sunni Gaines — Brendan, 16, and Grace, 15, on a trip to Paris, France.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
At the Imam Ali Ibn Talib mosque in the Alawite neighborhood of Wadi Dhahab in Homs, Alawite and Sunni prayergoers intermingle.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Feb. 2025
In Cairo, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the seat of Sunni learning who forged a close bond with Francis, wished him well.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Sunni
Cite this Entry
“Sunni.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sunni. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Sunni
noun
Sun·ni
ˈsu̇n-(n)ē
plural Sunnis or Sunni
1
: one of the two main branches of Islam
2
: a Muslim who is a member of the Sunni branch of Islam
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share