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
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.
God now compared to Light deemed unphilosophical, if not Atheistic, 739-m.
From Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Pike, Albert
So I was fain to regard life as an attribute, and this again strengthened the Atheistic position.
From Annie Besant An Autobiography by Besant, Annie Wood
It is necessary to put briefly the Atheistic position, for no position is more continuously and more persistently misrepresented.
From Annie Besant An Autobiography by Besant, Annie Wood
Atheistic Philosophy was true on its side, and Hume and Voltaire could on their own ground speak irrefragably for themselves against any Church: but lift the Church and them into a higher sphere.
From Life of John Sterling by Carlyle, Thomas
It was Atheistic in religion, and revolutionary in politics.
From Flowers of Freethought (Second Series) by Foote, G. W. (George William)
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.
