Cult and Sect

Similar meaning words

Cult noun - A body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities.

Usage example: an ancient cult that centered on the worship of the earth as the source of all life

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Sect is a synonym for cult in group sharing belief topic. In some cases you can use "Sect" instead a noun "Cult". popular alternative

Nearby Word: culture

Sect noun - A group of people acting together within a larger group.

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Cult is a synonym for sect in school of thought topic. You can use "Cult" instead a noun "Sect". popular alternative

Nearby Words: section, sectarian, sectary

human	human cult	human sect
original	original cult	original sect
small	small cult	small sect
powerful	powerful cult	powerful sect
Other adjectives: entire, large, evil, secret, ancient, new, religious, minor, mysterious, age, strange, Christian, local, terrorist, heretical.

The early Christian sect/cult particularly needed a new definition of evil, since their recruitment among the Romans and other gentiles was huge, and xenophobia simply did not work as a basis anymore.

Source: Adaptational Villainy / Mythology
Note: As a general rule this trope only applies to things that are described as a cult, religion, or sect, etc, In-Universe or by Word of God.

Source: Mystery Cult
They are persecuted by the Christian America sect, which probably fits more of the cult stereotypes.

Source: Cult

Cite this Source

Sect and Cult. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/cult/sect

Cult & Sect. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/cult/sect>.

Sect or Cult. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/cult/sect.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "cult" and "sect" have occurred on timeline