atheism

[ ey-thee-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or a supreme being or beings.
2. the philosophical position stating that there is no supreme being or beings.

atheism

/ ˈeɪθɪˌɪzəm /

noun

1. rejection of belief in God or gods

atheism

1. Denial that there is a God. ( Compare agnosticism .)

Other Words From

• an·ti·a·the·ism adjective noun
• pro·a·the·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of atheism¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Greek áthe(os) “godless” + -ism; a- ⁶( def ), theo-

Word History and Origins

Origin of atheism¹

C16: from French athéisme, from Greek atheos godless, from a- ¹+ theos god

Example Sentences

He defied the atheism of communism and the empty religious practices of Putinism.

From The Daily Beast

Atheism is highest in Europe, where there are established churches involved in the political process.

From The Daily Beast

She is not public about her atheism, just as many of us are not public about our faith.

From The Daily Beast

They all encourage her to spin her atheism into some form of belief.

From The Daily Beast

In many ways, she seems a lock for the win, but her atheism puts her entire character in question.

From The Daily Beast

A little or superficial knowledge may incline a man's mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth him back to religion.

From Project Gutenberg

He may, perhaps, be unhappy in his atheism, and wish to hear all my arguments to enable him the better to arrive at the truth.

From Project Gutenberg

The speculating atheist, the theist will tell us, may be an honest man, but his writings will cause atheism in politics.

From Project Gutenberg

So atheism, and the disbelief of the existence of the soul after death, characterized that materialism.

From Project Gutenberg

His uncompromising atheism is the very heart and core of his system and clarifies the whole situation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• nihilism