antireligionist
|an-ti-re-li-gion-ist|
/ˌæn.ti.rɪˈlɪdʒ.ən.ɪst/
against religion
Etymology
'antireligionist' originates from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against'), combined with the noun 'religion' (from Latin 'religio'), and the agentive suffix '-ist' (from Greek/Latin via Old French), forming 'one who is against religion.'
'religion' comes from Latin 'religio.' The modern English compound 'antireligionist' was formed in modern English by combining 'anti-' + 'religion' + '-ist' to denote an adherent of opposition to religion.
Initially, the elements meant 'against' + 'religion' + 'agent' and the compound has retained the basic meaning of 'a person opposed to religion.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who opposes religion or is hostile to religious beliefs, institutions, or influence.
She was an antireligionist who argued that religious institutions should have no role in government.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/08 23:36