religious

1 of 2

adjective

re·​li·​gious ri-ˈli-jəs How to pronounce religious (audio)
Synonyms of religiousnext
1
: relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity
a religious person
religious attitudes
2
: of, relating to, or devoted to religious beliefs or observances
joined a religious order
3
a
: scrupulously and conscientiously faithful
b
: fervent, zealous
religiously adverb
religiousness noun

religious

2 of 2

noun

plural religious
: a member of a religious order under monastic vows

Synonyms

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of religious in a Sentence

Adjective My religious beliefs forbid the drinking of alcohol. Religious leaders called for an end to the violence. His wife is very active in the church, but he's not religious himself.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The parents draw us into their earnest struggle to repress their horror at their children’s deviations from religious norms. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025 Do not be fooled by this bill’s carve-out for masks worn for health and religious reasons. — Nikki Morse, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
As a young religious, Bishop-elect Lombardo did missionary work in Bolivia and Honduras. — Laura Rodríguez Presa, chicagotribune.com, 11 Sep. 2020 See All Example Sentences for religious

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French religius, from Latin religiosus, from religio

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French religius, from religius, adjective

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of religious was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing religious

Rhymes for religious

See All Rhymes for religious

Browse Nearby Words

religioso
religious
religious education
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Cite this Entry

“Religious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religious. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

religious

1 of 2 adjective
re·​li·​gious ri-ˈlij-əs How to pronounce religious (audio)
1
: devoted to God or to the powers or forces believed to govern life
a very religious person
2
: of or relating to religion
religious beliefs
3
: very devoted and faithful
performed his duties with religious regularity
religiously adverb
religiousness noun

religious

2 of 2 noun
plural religious
: a member of a religious order

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