irreligion

American  

[ir-i-lij-uhn] / ˌɪr ɪˈlɪdʒ ən /

noun

1. lack of religion.

2. hostility or indifference to religion; impiety.

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irreligion British  

/ ˌɪrɪˈlɪdʒən /

noun

1. lack of religious faith

2. indifference or opposition to religion

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Other Word Forms

• irreligionist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of irreligion

First recorded in 1585–95, irreligion is from the Latin word irreligiōn- (stem of irreligiō ). See ir- ², religion

Example Sentences

I don't speak as to their Irreligion and Impiety, or their Incapacity of maintaining what they loudly assert; for such there are many among Rakes and Gamesters.

From A Letter to Dion by Viner, Jacob

Irreligion, dissoluteness, and pessimism—supposed naturally to go together—could never prosper; they were incompatible with efficiency.

From Character and Opinion in the United States by Santayana, George

Irreligion is followed by fanaticism, and fanaticism by irreligion, alternately and perpetually.

From Imaginary Conversations and Poems A Selection by Landor, Walter Savage

Excessive vanity and inordinate ambition are spoken of as weaknesses rather than as sins; even covetousness itself, though a hateful passion, yet, if not extreme, scarcely presents the face of Irreligion.

From A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Middle and Higher Classes in this Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity. by Wilberforce, William

But he adds nothing to the discussion unless it be the coupling of the disbelief in witchcraft with the "Atheisme and Irreligion that overflows the land."

From A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558 to 1718 by Notestein, Wallace

Related Words

• nihilism