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atheism

atheism

198 5.8
To not believe that God or gods exist
  • noun
  • /ˈeɪθiˌɪzəm/
translation icon : ateísmo
  • There is plenty of evidence to show that atheism was shunned in Nazi Germany.
  • religion and atheism
  • militant atheism
  • atheism was unthinkable

Maybe up here is saying that atheism is the belief that there is no God.

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Examples

  • He identified himself as an advocate for atheism, emphasizing the importance of secular ethics in a diverse world.

  • And the conclusion is atheism undermines human rights.

  • What's your take on atheism in general?

  • I was born into Judaism, but my personal path has led me to atheism.

  • His teaching, after all, verges on atheism: the rejection of God's power.

    Academic text (1998)
  • I belong to many groups, where skepticism, atheism, and feminism are only a few.

    Blog text (2)
  • Dr. Martin's other books include Atheism: A Philosophical Justification and The Case Against Christianity.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Priestman examines the links between English Romantic poetry and the emergence of atheism in Britain.

    Academic text (2000)
  • I imagine, as a skeptic, you're familiar with history's great names in atheism.

  • Many people find comfort in the philosophy of atheism, as it encourages critical thinking and personal exploration.

Synonyms

disbelief
vsatheism
86 3.0

A feeling when you do not think something is true

is specifically about gods' nonexistence rather than general refusal
unbelief
vsatheism
6 7.5

Not accepting religious ideas about gods

is the positive claim that God or gods do not exist
godlessness
vsatheism
2 8.3

A lack of belief in God or religion

is an explicit denial that God exists rather than ungodly behaviour
nonbelief
vsatheism
1 6.7

A lack of belief in God or other religious ideas

is the active claim that God or gods do not exist
irreligion
vsatheism
1 9.5

Not following or believing in any religion

is about belief in gods rather than rejection of practices or devotion
unfaith
vsatheism
  • Archaic
9.9

Lack of belief in religious or moral ideas

is a firm claim of gods' nonexistence rather than general lack of faith
nonreligion
vsatheism
6.8

Not having religious beliefs or belonging to any religion

focuses on denying gods' existence rather than affiliation or practice
irreligiosity
vsatheism
9.5

A lack of religious belief or practice

is the explicit claim that gods do not exist rather than a state
irreligiousness
vsatheism
9.3

The state of not believing in God or following a religion

focuses on denying gods' existence rather than indifference or opposition

Antonyms

15 6.1

Belief that one or more gods created and rule the universe

How Religious

theism
15 6.1
agnosticism
4 8.2
atheism
198 5.8

Surface Forms

atheism singular
atheisms plural

Morphology

atheism = theism (semi-transparent) = a + the + ism

If a learner knows 'theism', the prefix 'a-' signals negation, but this classical pattern is less immediately accessible than ordinary English negation.

Etymology

The word atheism comes from Greek parts: a- meaning 'not' and theos meaning 'god', and it is the opposite of theism ('belief in God'). So, atheism simply means 'not believing in gods'.