as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group
one sect of medical researchers holds the minority view that the disease is not caused by that virus
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Recent Examples of sects
Just like there are many sects of Judaism or Christianity, there are many ways to be Muslim.
—
Deena Elgenaidi, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
And Hezbollah, as the most heavily armed and violent element of Lebanon’s menagerie of factions and sects, wanted the guns without the responsibility.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
In Chinese myths, being an immortal can sort of feel like being a government employee — celestial bureaucracies make decisions that affect both the heavenly and mortal realms, and leaders of different immortal sects can engage in power plays and politics.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
Frayne writes that some second- and third-century sects, such as the Encratites, Priscilliantists, and Manicheans, advocated against meat eating, typically as part of a broader asceticism that might also include celibacy.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 4 Aug. 2025
The cruelties of the Islamic State, or ISIS, seem less idiosyncratic when compared with those of some governments and sects in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
—Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
Deena Elgenaidi, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
And Hezbollah, as the most heavily armed and violent element of Lebanon’s menagerie of factions and sects, wanted the guns without the responsibility.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
In Chinese myths, being an immortal can sort of feel like being a government employee — celestial bureaucracies make decisions that affect both the heavenly and mortal realms, and leaders of different immortal sects can engage in power plays and politics.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
Frayne writes that some second- and third-century sects, such as the Encratites, Priscilliantists, and Manicheans, advocated against meat eating, typically as part of a broader asceticism that might also include celibacy.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 4 Aug. 2025
The cruelties of the Islamic State, or ISIS, seem less idiosyncratic when compared with those of some governments and sects in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
—Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sects
Noun
-
The town splintered into factions.—
David Peisner,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
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The two factions went to war, spilling blood through the streets of Philadelphia.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The three-day Nashville event (like the position) has grown in popularity and recognition — especially so after Taylor Swift, the most famous pop star on the planet who also happens to be engaged to Kelce, gave an impromptu performance at one of its parties last summer.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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His victory ended nearly a decade of Democratic control in Richmond and underscored the state’s potential to swing between the parties.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sects. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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