anti-religionist
|an-ti-re-lig-ion-ist|
/ˌæn.ti.rɪˈlɪdʒ.ən.ɪst/
against religion
Etymology
'anti-religionist' is formed in English from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') combined with 'religionist' (from 'religion' + the agent suffix '-ist').
'religion' originates from Latin 'religio' (meaning 'reverence, obligation'), and the agent suffix '-ist' (used to form a person associated with or practicing something) produced 'religionist'; combining with the prefix 'anti-' in modern English produced 'anti-religionist'.
Initially, 'religion' carried senses of 'reverence' or 'obligation' in Latin; over time it came to mean organized systems of belief and worship, and 'anti-religionist' has come to mean 'one opposed to religion' in contemporary usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is opposed to religion or religious institutions; an opponent or critic of religion, often advocating secularism or the removal of religious influence from public life.
He was known as an anti-religionist who campaigned for secular education.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/19 07:03