as in temporal
not involving religion or religious matters
that's an issue for the secular authorities, not the church
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Recent Examples of secular
Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2023
His selection of works, for example, mixed the sacred with the secular, interspersing chorale preludes (which use Lutheran hymns as their point of departure) with the six trio sonatas for organ.
—Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Dec. 2022
Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
What Happens Next Researchers say the secular transition is long‑running and generational, not a sudden shift.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secular
Adjective
There was a change of heart among the secular nationalists during the second intifada—which started in 2000 and ended in 2005—in which seculars also joined forces.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2023
His selection of works, for example, mixed the sacred with the secular, interspersing chorale preludes (which use Lutheran hymns as their point of departure) with the six trio sonatas for organ.
—Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Dec. 2022
Noun
In brief, the basic issue is the Second Amendment in a secular country.
—Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
What Happens Next Researchers say the secular transition is long‑running and generational, not a sudden shift.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secular
Adjective
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Grey’s son, Loren Grey, restored his father’s original ending in the novel’s 1982 Pocket Books reprint, but the vanishing mythos remains intact, with the last of the tribe wistfully following Curtis’s Navajo into the temporal graveyard of the past.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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Psychologists call this a temporal landmark, a point in time like a birthday or seasonal shift that can spark motivation to take on new challenges.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In laymen’s terms, said Peterson, the city was relying on $37 million in temporary American Rescue Plan Act pandemic relief funding for recurring programs and initiatives, and redirecting funding from one fund to another.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
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In layman’s terms that means the period cycles app on your watch and phone, the ECG monitor on your watch, the app that measures your blood oxygen levels…the list goes on.—
Natasha Pearlman,
Glamour,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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At the same time, some opponents – including Jewish, Christian, Unitarian Universalist, Hindu and nonreligious plaintiffs – do not necessarily wish to remove religion entirely from educational institutions.—
Lydia Artz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
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Associated Press What To Know The plaintiffs include Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Unitarian Universalist and nonreligious families who have children in public schools.—
Jenna Sundel
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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By now, even the layperson understands that artificial intelligence data is a garbage-in-garbage-out conundrum.—
Adrian Bridgwater,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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In layperson’s terms, a will is a legal document that dictates where your assets will be distributed upon your death.—
Ronny Maye,
Essence,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secular. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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