as in factions
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
Relevance
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 sects
Islam has two major sects that are often in conflict.
—
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
His ideas precipitated a tectonic crisis of political legitimacy and unleashed a series of continent-wide wars, sometimes featuring millenarian protocommunist sects like the Anabaptists, who sought to overthrow the social order.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Out of this ethical fog has risen a Silicon Valley theology, split into warring sects.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
Most Buddhist sects acknowledge the spiritual significance of relics even if some teachers have tried to shift the focus to Buddha's teachings that emphasize mindfulness and kindness.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Some Buddhist teachers emphasize Buddha’s teachings of mindfulness over relic veneration, creating different approaches to these sacred objects across various sects.
—Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Their ideology spilled across countries and continents and even reached other Islamic sects, including rival Sunnis.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Sharia is the moral code for followers of Islam, but the interpretation and administration varies based on different sects, communities, countries and individuals, according to the Council for American-Islamic Relations.
—Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
But this year, Christian leaders across sects—including Catholics, Evangelicals, and Baptists—sounded the alarm on AI’s potential impact on family, human relationships, labor, and the church itself.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 23 Dec. 2025
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
His ideas precipitated a tectonic crisis of political legitimacy and unleashed a series of continent-wide wars, sometimes featuring millenarian protocommunist sects like the Anabaptists, who sought to overthrow the social order.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Out of this ethical fog has risen a Silicon Valley theology, split into warring sects.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
Most Buddhist sects acknowledge the spiritual significance of relics even if some teachers have tried to shift the focus to Buddha's teachings that emphasize mindfulness and kindness.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Some Buddhist teachers emphasize Buddha’s teachings of mindfulness over relic veneration, creating different approaches to these sacred objects across various sects.
—Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Their ideology spilled across countries and continents and even reached other Islamic sects, including rival Sunnis.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Sharia is the moral code for followers of Islam, but the interpretation and administration varies based on different sects, communities, countries and individuals, according to the Council for American-Islamic Relations.
—Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
But this year, Christian leaders across sects—including Catholics, Evangelicals, and Baptists—sounded the alarm on AI’s potential impact on family, human relationships, labor, and the church itself.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sects
Noun
-
Hook hopes an induction could perhaps serve as an olive branch between the two factions.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Therefore, the party’s direction is the result of some compromise among the various factions of the party.—
Richard Davis,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In 2018, some involved in O'Rourke's campaign told Eye on Politics reporter Jack Fink that there was little to no support from the state and national parties.—
Nathalie Marie Palacios,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The parties have the right to appeal.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sects. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
