SECTARIAN Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

sectarian 1 of 2

adjective

sek-ˈter-ē-ən

Definition of sectarian

as in parochial

not broad or open in views or opinions there are people on both the left and the right who have staked out unyielding sectarian positions in this debate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sectarian

2 of 2

one who stubbornly or intolerantly adheres to his or her own opinions and prejudices charged that the work of Congress has been stymied by sectarians who are indifferent to reason and intolerant of compromise

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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 sectarian

Adjective

The government's counter-insurgency spiraled into sectarian violence. — Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026 The government’s counter-insurgency spiraled into sectarian violence. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Noun

Quite the contrary, the image of the cross makes the war memorial sectarian. — Robert Barnes, Anchorage Daily News, 20 June 2019 Lebanon’s unique sectarian make up and place in the region make its politics about local issues like jobs, infrastructure, and garbage collection as well as about regional rivalries and alliances. — Ben Hubbard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for sectarian

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sectarian

Adjective

For Bourne, newspapers, besides giving information, encourage an acceptance of non-parochial views.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Our small island has arguably contributed more in terms of popular music than any other nation, but British driving songs are unavoidably parochial.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of parochial

Noun

In such seats, the primary becomes the real election, a dynamic that tends to favor the coronation of extremely polarizing nominees since, typically, that electorate is composed of committed partisans.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Republicans at the hearing sought to portray Smith as a partisan who abused his authority to target Republicans.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of partisan

Adjective

Blacks in the South were routinely imprisoned on petty or trumped-up charges, then leased out to landowners, mining companies, railroads and factories as unpaid labor.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, out on the streets, young con artist Thomas Shepherd (Ruaridh Mollica) and pickpocket Lisa Molinari (Lauren Morais) are running petty scams.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of petty

Adjective

Comparing households aged 72 and older in 2022 with those aged 75 and older in 2025, Maggiulli calculated a smaller—but still substantial—21% increase.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
The development could help make optical atomic clocks smaller and more suitable for use outside laboratories.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

The decision to set that tone staggering through all 10 minutes of the extended cut might scan as raw inspiration, placing Spacemen 3 on a narrow band from La Monte Young and Terry Riley to some brilliant dro)))ne future.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Recent polls have shown Jackson holding only a narrow lead over Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms.

— DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of narrow

Browse Nearby Words

sect

sectarian

sectarianism

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“Sectarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sectarian. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sectarian

adjective

noun

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