in·fi·del
ˈin-fə-dᵊl 
-fə-ˌdel
1
: one who is not a Christian or who opposes Christianity
2
a
: an unbeliever with respect to a particular religion
b
: one who acknowledges no religious belief
3
: a disbeliever in something specified or understood
1
: not holding the faith of a given religion
Either they must come to terms with surrounding infidel tribes or they must conquer the hinterland.—
Daniel J. Boorstin
Daniel J. Boorstinthe infidel nations
2
: opposing or traitorous to a given religion
infidel writers
an infidel sect
Examples of infidel in a Sentence
Noun
a holy war against the infidels
Recent Examples on the Web
Avi Weiss, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2025
Some Muslim men believe that the reward for killing infidels is 72 virgins in the afterlife.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2025
Max Singer, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2017
They were forced by the Hisbah to stand up in mosques and public squares, in front of crowds, and declare their regret for having enforced the laws of the infidel government.
—National Geographic, 17 Oct. 2016
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Noun
During the Crusades, the Inquisition, and countless pogroms, Jews were demonized as infidels who refused to abandon their faith, even under threat of death.
—Avi Weiss, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2025
Some Muslim men believe that the reward for killing infidels is 72 virgins in the afterlife.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
But it is widely believed to have increased support for Islamists such as the Muslim Brotherhood, which believes Islam must be at war with an infidel West.
—Max Singer, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2017
They were forced by the Hisbah to stand up in mosques and public squares, in front of crowds, and declare their regret for having enforced the laws of the infidel government.
—National Geographic, 17 Oct. 2016
See All Example Sentences for infidel
Cite this Entry
“Infidel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infidel. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infidel
noun
in·fi·del
ˈin-fəd-ᵊl
-fə-ˌdel
: a person who does not believe in a particular religion
infidel
adjective
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