secularism

[ sek-yuh-luh-riz-uhm ]
See synonyms for secularism on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. secular spirit or tendency, especially a system of political or social philosophy that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship.

  2. the view that public education and other matters of civil policy should be conducted without the introduction of a religious element.

Origin of secularism

1
First recorded in 1850–55; secular + -ism

Other words from secularism

  • sec·u·lar·ist, noun, adjective
  • sec·u·lar·is·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use secularism in a sentence

  • But, in reality, it is not the aggressive Secularist or Atheist who fights these imaginary beings.

    Flowers of Freethought | George W. Foote
  • In one place he says that "the so-called Secularist is the man who deprives things secular of all power and meaning and beauty."

    Flowers of Freethought | George W. Foote
  • If, as a Secularist, you refuse to teach any sanction, you must say "You will be punished if you disobey."

British Dictionary definitions for secularism

secularism

/ (ˈsɛkjʊləˌrɪzəm) /


noun
  1. philosophy a doctrine that rejects religion, esp in ethics

  2. the attitude that religion should have no place in civil affairs

  1. the state of being secular

Derived forms of secularism

  • secularist, noun, adjective
  • secularistic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012