agnosticism

American  

[ag-nos-tuh-siz-uhm] / ægˈnɒs təˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. the belief 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.

2. an intellectual doctrine or attitude affirming the uncertainty of all claims to ultimate knowledge.

3. an attitude or view that does not conform to either of two opposing positions on a topic.

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agnosticism Cultural  

1. A denial of knowledge about whether there is or is not a God. An agnostic insists that it is impossible to prove that there is no God and impossible to prove that there is one. (Compare atheism.)

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Etymology

Origin of agnosticism

First recorded in 1870–75; agnostic ( def. ) + -ism ( def. )

Example Sentences

Watching my wife’s spiritual evolution from agnosticism to Christianity, I saw that she was acquiring insights I lacked.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

E: Isn’t agnosticism frankly the most honest position?

From Washington Times • Jun. 6, 2023

Below I defend agnosticism as a stance toward the existence of God, interpretations of quantum mechanics and theories of consciousness.

From Scientific American • Aug. 14, 2021

She told you what she believes was done to her, and your agnosticism entails an absence of faith in her.

From New York Times • Jul. 20, 2021

It occurs to me to ask that profound question of modern agnosticism: Is God dead?

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• ambiguity
• apprehension
• confusion
• difficulty
• disbelief
• distrust
• fear
• hesitation
• misgiving
• mistrust
• problem
• qualm
• reluctance
• skepticism
• suspense
• suspicion
• uncertainty