atheistic

American  

[ey-thee-is-tik] / ˌeɪ θiˈɪs tɪk /

Also atheistical

adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of atheists or atheism; containing, suggesting, or disseminating atheism.

   atheistic literature; atheistic people.

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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

• antiatheistic adjective
• antiatheistical adjective
• antiatheistically adverb
• atheistically adverb
• atheisticness noun
• nonatheistic adjective
• nonatheistical adjective
• nonatheistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of atheistic

First recorded in 1625–35; atheist + -ic

Example Sentences

With this short book Mr. Murray, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the roster of formerly agnostic or atheistic intellectuals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

Pervaded by magic and mysticism, Bulgakov’s masterpiece was a far cry from the weary “socialist realism” mandated by an officially atheistic state.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2024

Judaism, like other religions, had been suppressed by the the officially atheistic ideology of the communist era.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 12, 2022

Since Russia emerged from an era of atheistic communism after the breakup of the Soviet Union, its myriad religions have featured an array of proselytizers, gurus and teachers like Mr. Torop.

From New York Times • Oct. 24, 2021

One must also admire his broadmindedness in treating Lucretius, whom, in spite of his atheistic views, Keble places among the primary poets.

From The Literature of Ecstasy by Mordell, Albert