as in faction
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
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Recent Examples of sect
Authorities say Bateman sought to establish a new sect in Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, communities historically tied to the FLDS.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Assad, while widely seen as an oppressive dictator and accused of using chemical weapons against his own people, was championed as a protector of Shiite Muslim sects, Christian communities, and other religious groups.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Dec. 2024
There have been some sectarian attacks but mostly against members of Assad's minority Alawite sect.
—Bassem Mroue, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Dec. 2024
About 10 percent of Syrians belong to the sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, and Alawites dominated the ruling class and upper ranks of the military under the Assad dynasty.
—Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sect 
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Assad, while widely seen as an oppressive dictator and accused of using chemical weapons against his own people, was championed as a protector of Shiite Muslim sects, Christian communities, and other religious groups.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Dec. 2024
There have been some sectarian attacks but mostly against members of Assad's minority Alawite sect.
—Bassem Mroue, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Dec. 2024
About 10 percent of Syrians belong to the sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, and Alawites dominated the ruling class and upper ranks of the military under the Assad dynasty.
—Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sect
Noun
-
This upcoming Souls-like action RPG is set in the dark realm of Shu, where warring factions and a mysterious monster-spawning plague plunge the world into ruin.—
Gabriel Zamora,
PCMAG,
22 Jan. 2025
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Clashes between rival cartel factions have recently turned the northwest state of Sinaloa into a war zone.—
Simon Romero,
New York Times,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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While all parties obsessed over quotas and affirmative action inside the military, there were very few questions about actual policy, or what Hegseth knows about the job.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2025
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Another cool feature: a hydraulic pool floor that transforms for after-hours events like fashion shows and live music, and pool parties.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Chicken wings inside a refrigerator measured at an unsafe temperature.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
24 Jan. 2025
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The first 13 games of the season were brutal for Milwaukee Bucks wing Gary Trent Jr.—
Brian Sampson,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Either cut off an entire stem an inch or two off the ground or cut a side branch close to the main stem.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
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On one side, there is widespread agreement that 2025 is already the year of agentic and physical AI.—
Luis E. Romero,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near sect
Cite this Entry
“Sect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sect. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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