alawite

American  

[al-uh-weet, al-uh-weet] / ˈæl əˌwit, ˌæl əˈwit /

Also ʿAlawi

noun

Islam.

1. a member of a Shiʿite sect inhabiting the coastal district of Latakia in northwest Syria.

---

Etymology

Origin of alawite

< Arabic ʿAlawī + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

This model is already emerging in Kurdish regions and should be extended to Alawite and Druze communities without undermining central authority.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Mrie’s father had other ideas: Their filial obligation was to marry another well-connected Alawite — or risk losing their inheritance.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Nearly all those reported missing are members of the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam that makes up about 10% of Syria's population and to which the ousted president belongs.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

Last month, thousands of people demonstrated on the Alawite coast in protest of fresh attacks targeting their community.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the Socialist Ba'th Party and the minority Alawite sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country.

From The 2008 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency