atheistic
Americanadjective
Usage
What does atheistic mean? Atheistic is an adjective that’s used to describe things that involve atheism—the belief that there is no supreme being or deity. In other words, atheism is the denial of the existence of God or of any gods. A person who holds such a belief can be called an atheist. The word atheist can also be used as an adjective to describe such beliefs or things involving such beliefs. Atheistic is used in this same way. For example, the writings of an atheist could be described as atheistic. The themes of a certain book or film that is thought to promote or deal with atheism could also be described as atheistic. The word is often used in a negative way by those who disagree with atheism. The word atheistic means something different from the word agnostic, which refers to or describes a person who believes it is impossible to know whether or not a supreme being exists. When asked if God or gods exist, an atheist would answer “No,” while an agnostic would answer “It is impossible to know.”A less common variant of atheistic is atheistical. Example: The film was criticized by church leaders due to what they interpreted as an atheistic message.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of atheistic
Explanation
If you are atheistic, you don't believe in God. Or in any gods for that matter. You’re also probably not interested in praying or participating in religious rituals. The French root of atheistic literally translates to “without god,” and that’s how atheistic folks choose to live — with no god talk affecting their decisions. Some people who are atheistic actually get together to discuss their lack of belief, called atheism. Atheistic is an exception to the rule about “i before e except after c,” so watch out for that.
Vocabulary lists containing atheistic
Dwight D. Eisenhower, "The Military-Industrial Complex" (1961)
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White Rose
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With this short book Mr. Murray, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the roster of formerly agnostic or atheistic intellectuals.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025
Pervaded by magic and mysticism, Bulgakov’s masterpiece was a far cry from the weary “socialist realism” mandated by an officially atheistic state.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2024
The country is led by an officially atheistic party dominated by the majority Han ethnic group.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 16, 2023
In one for Science and Technology News in 2005, he talked about the divide between theories of atheistic evolution and theistic evolution.
From New York Times • Jun. 11, 2023
It is unfortunate to use the word; so few people have read history, and so many have dipped into little atheistic manuals, that the majority will rush to a conclusion, and suppose the labour lost.
From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 18 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
