1
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
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2
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
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Recent Examples of cult
Newman’s ingrained impish defiance combined with his salt-and-pepper good looks lends Reggie the perfect avatar for the reckless, anarchic tenacity that defines George Roy Hill’s cult comedy, a movie about self-destruction in the name of existential survival.
—
Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2025
Some of that involves direct participation, which, for many cult films, can turn into rituals: During screenings of The Room, audiences toss plastic spoons at the screen.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2025
In Honey Don’t!, the titular PI in Bakersfield, California, investigates the death of a woman with ties to a religious cult.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
Premiering in 1984 after a two-year delay during which the filmmakers bought back the rights from Corman, Android became a festival success and cult favorite.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cult
Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2025
Some of that involves direct participation, which, for many cult films, can turn into rituals: During screenings of The Room, audiences toss plastic spoons at the screen.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2025
In Honey Don’t!, the titular PI in Bakersfield, California, investigates the death of a woman with ties to a religious cult.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
Premiering in 1984 after a two-year delay during which the filmmakers bought back the rights from Corman, Android became a festival success and cult favorite.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cult
Noun
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Whatever the nuances of the text, the audience must end the show clapping along to an upbeat curtain-call jamboree.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
22 Aug. 2025
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What’s nice about Father Forgive Me is its appeal to all audiences.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Rather than a single cause, astrology’s recent boom is more likely explained by a combination of factors: the decline of religion among younger generations, rising interest in alternative medicine, and increased accessibility of technology.—
Anna Haines,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Sophie Carson is a general assignment reporter who reports on religion and faith, immigrants and refugees and more.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cult. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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