secularism

noun

sec·​u·​lar·​ism ˈse-kyə-lə-ˌri-zəm 

: indifference to or rejection or exclusion of religion and religious considerations

secularist

ˈse-kyə-lə-rist 

noun

secularist adjective

or less commonly secularistic

ˌse-kyə-lə-ˈri-stik 

Examples of secularism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The landmark Basilica of Sacre-Coeur (Sacred Heart) in Paris has long been perceived as a symbol of Catholic resistance to secularism amid France's revolutionary turbulence. —ABC News, 10 June 2026

Members of the Illuminati, a movement that started in Germany in 1776, promoted Enlightenment values and ideas, including logic, secularism and education. —Derek Arnold, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026

Ironically, both Nietzsche and Keller argued that the moral values of secularism do not originate in scientific reasoning but rather in Christianity. —James O. Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026

The 1979 revolution led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic, which clamped down on secularism. —Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for secularism

• activism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism
• calvinism

Kids Definition

secularism

noun

sec·​u·​lar·​ism ˈsek-yə-lə-ˌriz-əm 

: the belief that religion and religious considerations should be ignored

secularist

-rəst 

noun

secularist adjective

also secularistic

ˌsek-yə-lə-ˈris-tik