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sect

sect

84 6.1
A small group that splits from a larger religious group because of different beliefs
  • noun
  • /sɛkt/
translation icon : secta
  • It continues to give the news impartially, without fear or favor, regardless of party, sect or interests involved.
  • a religious sect
  • Christian sects
  • Muslim sects

And I was initiated in this holy house in this Taoist sect while doing Tai chi.

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Examples

  • That only leaves one other Jewish sect, which was the Essenes.

  • I think she had realized we were people of a sect, our particular sect, and our beliefs offended her.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Are you the member of a sect?

  • There was a second sect of Jews on the same street who said just the opposite:

    Fiction book (1995)
  • " This man belongs to a sect that does not admit the services of a doctor.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "Ian, have you fallen into the hands of some sect?" his father asked.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Their infant girl is believed to have been abducted by this religious sect.

  • My family's sect was the Pranami.

  • Paul gave his own version of this story, explaining how he, a Jew, could possibly have joined that heretical sect of Christians.

  • The small sect held unusual beliefs that set them apart from the mainstream religion.

Synonyms

faction
vssect
193 5.5

A small group inside a larger group with different ideas that wants power

is about a group that separated over beliefs rather than seeking internal power
denomination
vssect
42 5.5

A branch of a religion with its own leaders and beliefs

is usually smaller and formed by separation, not necessarily an official branch
7 5.0

A small group that leaves a larger group because its members disagree

is focused on religious breakaway groups rather than any organizational split
6 7.4

A small group that follows one leader or teaching and has strict, unusual beliefs and practices

is a smaller breakaway group defined by differing beliefs or practices
5 4.7

A small group inside a religion with different beliefs or practices

is the general idea of a smaller group that separated for belief differences
fringe church
vssect
9.2

A small religious group with unusual beliefs and practices outside larger churches

is about a formal breakaway based on belief differences, not only unconventional style

Antonyms

75 3.4

The ideas and activities most people accept as normal

29 7.4

Traditional beliefs and practices accepted by a group, especially in religion

Compounds

A small group inside a religion with different beliefs or practices

1 7.8

A strict Christian group in the U.S. that lives simply, wears plain clothes, and avoids modern machines

How Mainstream

mainstream
75 3.4
denomination
42 5.5
sect
84 6.1
cult
  • Slur
249 7.2

Surface Forms

sect singular
sects plural

Etymology

Sect comes from the old Latin root sequi, which means 'to follow', and it is the same root behind sequence and sequel. So a sect is a smaller group that 'follows' a particular way or leader, which is why it has its own beliefs and practices.