antireligionism
|an-ti-re-li-gion-ism|
/ˌænti.rɪˈlɪdʒənɪzəm/
opposition to religion
Etymology
'antireligionism' originates from combined elements: the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against'), the noun 'religion' (from Latin 'religio', meaning 'reverence, obligation'), and the suffix '-ism' (from Greek '-ismos' via Latin/Old French, meaning 'doctrine or system').
'antireligionism' was formed in modern English by combining 'anti-' + 'religion' + '-ism'. The components derive from older languages (Greek and Latin) and the compound term appears in English usage from the 19th century onward as debates over religion's social role intensified.
Initially used chiefly to denote opposition to organized or institutional religion, the term's use broadened to include more general philosophical or political opposition to religion and its influence.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
hostility or opposition to religion as an institution, belief system, or social force; the stance or attitude of being against religion.
His antireligionism was obvious in his public speeches criticizing religious influence on politics.
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Noun 2
an organized movement or ideology that actively seeks to reduce or eliminate the role of religion in public life or to oppose religious institutions and practices.
In the 19th and 20th centuries various forms of antireligionism influenced state policies in some countries.
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Last updated: 2025/11/19 07:36