agnostic
a person who holds that the answers to the basic questions of existence, such as the nature of the ultimate cause and whether or not there is a supreme being, are unknown or unknowable.
a person who denies or doubts the possibility of ultimate knowledge in some area of study.
a person who holds neither of two opposing positions on a topic: Socrates was an agnostic on the subject of immortality.
of or relating to agnostics or their doctrines, attitudes, or beliefs.
asserting the uncertainty of all claims to knowledge.
not taking a stand on something, especially not holding either of two usually strongly opposed positions (often used in combination): He's known to take an agnostic view of technological progress. The governor's fuel-agnostic energy policies were highly controversial.
(especially of digital technology) not limited or dedicated to a particular device, system, etc. (often used in combination): platform agnostic software.
Origin of agnostic
1synonym study For agnostic
word story For agnostic
In a more recent trend, one can be agnostic simply by not taking a stand on something. In 2010, President Obama called himself “agnostic” on tax cuts until he had seen all available options. At a forum on sustainable energy in 2008, GE CEO Jeff Immelt said he was “fuel agnostic.” In technology, software or hardware can be said to be agnostic as well. Computer code that can run on any operating system is called “platform agnostic,” and such services as phone and electric may be considered “agnostic” if not dedicated to a particular carrier, device, or user interface.
popular references For agnostic
—Agnostic Front: A New York punk band, considered at the forefront of the New York hardcore music scene. Founded in 1983, in existence for over 25 years.
Other words for agnostic
Other words from agnostic
- ag·nos·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with agnostic
- agnostic , atheist (see synonym study at the current entry)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use agnostic in a sentence
He emphasized that FoodBoss will remain agnostic about how you order — the goal is just to show you all the options, and to highlight the ordering method that best matches your priorities.
Restaurant search engine FoodBoss adds support for direct delivery from restaurants | Anthony Ha | November 20, 2020 | TechCrunchThe lack of bike-specific features help make this shirt more activity agnostic than other tech checks, too—I’m equally happy wearing it on the ride as I am at the campsite.
This new technology allows journalists to write articles in a channel-agnostic way, rather than writing to fit column inches.
How artificial intelligence and machine learning power content-first newsrooms | Naviga Global | October 26, 2020 | DigidayEven AGI’s most faithful are agnostic about machine consciousness.
Artificial general intelligence: Are we close, and does it even make sense to try? | Will Heaven | October 15, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewAs we’re going toward cloud, and as applications become more and more infrastructure agnostic, people are making application decisions separate from the target destination.
IBM CEO will be on the hunt for acquisitions and new businesses after spinning off services unit | Aaron Pressman | October 8, 2020 | Fortune
"He has been so unusually amiable," agnostically said Justine.
A Fascinating Traitor | Richard Henry Savage
British Dictionary definitions for agnostic
/ (æɡˈnɒstɪk) /
of or relating to agnostics
Origin of agnostic
1Derived forms of agnostic
- agnosticism, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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