sect

noun

ˈsekt How to pronounce sect (audio)
Definition of sectnext
as in faction
a group of people acting together within a larger group one sect of medical researchers holds the minority view that the disease is not caused by that virus

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of sect The group, known as BAPS, is a worldwide religious and civic organization within the Swaminarayan sect, a branch of Hinduism. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026 This sect of floor lamp marries lighting with elevated function thanks to a side table affixed to the base that can balance smaller knick knacks. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026 Bateman’s small group was an offshoot of the polygamous sect once led by Warren Jeffs. — Jacques Billaud, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 From 2015 to 2025, the sect’s congregations in Idaho experienced 15 preventable deaths of children, according to ProPublica’s reporting. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sect
  1. faction
  2. party
  3. wing
  4. side
Noun
  • Zema has proposed classifying major criminal factions as terrorist organizations.
    — Katie Angell Britannica Editors Oct. 2, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2026
  • This is the friction that Tariq felt was a nonnegotiable for the film, factions of an immigrant community torn between assimilating into American culture and proudly celebrating its differences as loudly as possible.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of faction
Noun
  • Nightly specials include fresh takes on Maine classics, like a Cajun lobster roll on a brioche (fantastic), but there’s also an extensive menu of starters, salads, sandwiches and burgers, and mains that will keep every member of your party happy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The party has an average 8-point lead in generic congressional ballot polling, according to RealClearPolitics.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of party
Noun
  • An early Georgian-style wing was added to the Regency main building to accommodate new rooms and dining spaces.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Or two birds face-to-face in close proximity, covering themselves with their wings as if to share a secret kiss away from prying eyes, could evoke a giggle.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of wing
Noun
  • On the craft side, the movie never feels too slick; there’s an agreeable looseness to its pacing, even at its zippiest, and a crisp unfussiness to Malik Hassan Sayeed’s cinematography.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Hospitals bolster their side by hiring risk adjustment specialists and employing AI tools, while health insurers hire payment integrity specialists and employ different AI tools.
    — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of side

Browse Nearby Words

secrets
sect
sectarian
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sect. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sect

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sect

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