as in faction
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 sect
Directed by Dretzin, False Prophet began in earnest with Christine Marie, a former fundamentalist who became an expert in cults, and her videographer husband, Tolga Katas, moving to Short Creek and embedding themselves amongst the local sect.
—
Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
For one, Israel’s targeting and displacement of the Shiite community in southern Lebanon is likely to create friction among Lebanon’s various religious sects.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Shia Islam is the majority religion in Iran, but the constitution recognizes Sunni Islam, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Christianity as minority sects, with each represented in parliament.
—Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Seventy-five people, including 25 children and sect leader David Koresh, were killed.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sect
Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
For one, Israel’s targeting and displacement of the Shiite community in southern Lebanon is likely to create friction among Lebanon’s various religious sects.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Shia Islam is the majority religion in Iran, but the constitution recognizes Sunni Islam, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Christianity as minority sects, with each represented in parliament.
—Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Seventy-five people, including 25 children and sect leader David Koresh, were killed.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sect
Noun
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The Metros are one of the factions of the Gulf Cartel, weakened over the course of the last decade following the capture of their leaders.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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New Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has endorsed the talks but his relative silence and non-visibility have created space for Iran’s various internal factions to disagree over the way forward.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The plan, conveyed through mediators in Pakistan to break a stalemate with Washington, calls for extending the ceasefire so the parties can work toward a permanent end to the fighting, Axios said.—
Jon Herskovitz,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
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Minaj will attend as a guest of Fox News, which is also throwing its own VIP party before Saturday's official dinner, Fox confirmed to USA TODAY.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The likelihood is that Drury will be seeking a scoring RW (or center, in which case Miller could shift to wing) to upgrade at least one position in the top six.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Beyond game day wings, customers can expect pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and salads, among other classic bar bites.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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According to court documents, the suspect pulled an eyebrow razor from her left pocket and began slashing the second female victim, causing a cut across the left side of her face.—
Alexa Ashwell,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
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Still, momentum is clearly on Philadelphia’s side.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sect. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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