Sunni

noun

Sun·​ni ˈsu̇(n)-(ˌ)nē How to pronounce Sunni (audio)
1
: the Muslims of the branch of Islam that adheres to the orthodox tradition and acknowledges the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad compare shia
2
: a Sunni Muslim
Sunni adjective

Examples of Sunni in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Lebanon's political system is based on sect, mandating that the president be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025 Some Sunni Muslims tried to help their neighbors who were unable to sneak out. Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025 The fourth circle includes Sunni Arab communities that HTS wants to build into a reliable source of support for the new regime. Jerome Drevon, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025 Sectarian dangers In March, hundreds of members of Syria's Alawite minority — another offshoot from Shia Islam — were killed in a spate of revenge attacks by Sunni Arab fighters in Latakia, on the country's Mediterranean coast. Jane Arraf, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Sunni

Word History

Etymology

Arabic sunnī, from sunna

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Sunni was in 1595

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sunni.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sunni. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

Sunni

noun
Sun·​ni ˈsu̇n-(n)ē How to pronounce Sunni (audio)
plural Sunnis or Sunni
1
: one of the two main branches of Islam
2
: a Muslim who is a member of the Sunni branch of Islam

More from Merriam-Webster on Sunni

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