atheism
noun
athe·ism ˈā-thē-ˌi-zəm 
1
a
: a lack of belief or a strong disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods
b
: a philosophical or religious position characterized by disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods
2
archaic : godlessness especially in conduct : ungodliness, wickedness
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Despite her appreciation for the U.S.S.R., Ms. Gomes didn’t embrace its atheism. 
New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Shelley’s radical politics, his atheism, and his philosophical objections to monogamy weren’t likely to go down well in Victorian Britain. Christopher Tayler, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022 That Rushdie was raised a Muslim, albeit a secular, alcohol-loving Muslim who soon would declare his atheism, made his descriptions of the Prophet even more troubling than if some outsider had ignorantly portrayed the same. Siva Vaidhyanathan, The New Republic, 16 Aug. 2022 Barber explained that his optimism for the future comes from his studying of history and his belief that atheism does not provide the answers that people who leave the faith are looking for. Andrew Mark Miller, Fox News, 3 July 2022 Atheism as a response to religious faith becomes unnecessary as a positive atheism takes hold and supports man’s liberation from preexisting categories of belief and thought. Richard M. Reinsch Ii, National Review, 17 Feb. 2022 It is no longer possessed by an ideology that demands universal revolution and compulsory atheism. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 6 Apr. 2022 And yet the God of Abraham actually dovetails with atheism in ways that elude Mr. Kronman’s God. Andrew Stark, WSJ, 29 Mar. 2022 Marx’s introduction of a sweeping anti-Christian understanding of human beings made possible the salient aspect of his atheism, which was to make God disappear altogether. Richard M. Reinsch Ii, National Review, 17 Feb. 2022 See More
New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Shelley’s radical politics, his atheism, and his philosophical objections to monogamy weren’t likely to go down well in Victorian Britain. Christopher Tayler, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022 That Rushdie was raised a Muslim, albeit a secular, alcohol-loving Muslim who soon would declare his atheism, made his descriptions of the Prophet even more troubling than if some outsider had ignorantly portrayed the same. Siva Vaidhyanathan, The New Republic, 16 Aug. 2022 Barber explained that his optimism for the future comes from his studying of history and his belief that atheism does not provide the answers that people who leave the faith are looking for. Andrew Mark Miller, Fox News, 3 July 2022 Atheism as a response to religious faith becomes unnecessary as a positive atheism takes hold and supports man’s liberation from preexisting categories of belief and thought. Richard M. Reinsch Ii, National Review, 17 Feb. 2022 It is no longer possessed by an ideology that demands universal revolution and compulsory atheism. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 6 Apr. 2022 And yet the God of Abraham actually dovetails with atheism in ways that elude Mr. Kronman’s God. Andrew Stark, WSJ, 29 Mar. 2022 Marx’s introduction of a sweeping anti-Christian understanding of human beings made possible the salient aspect of his atheism, which was to make God disappear altogether. Richard M. Reinsch Ii, National Review, 17 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god
First Known Use
1546, in the meaning defined at sense 2
atheism
noun
as in godlessness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- godlessness
- agnosticism
- unbelief
- unfaith
- disbelief
- doubt
- apostasy
- know-nothingism
- tergiversation
- lapse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- religion
- faith
- piety
- devotion
- worship
- religiousness
- devoutness
- adoration
- reverence
- piousness
- veneration