Meaning & use
sect
A group of people, especially within a religion, who share distinct beliefs that set them apart from a larger body.
See it in a sentence
The small religious sect settled in the valley to practice their beliefs undisturbed.
Scholars study how the sect's teachings differ from the mainstream tradition it split from.
A note on using this word
Sect can sound neutral in academic writing but is sometimes used negatively in everyday speech to suggest a fringe or extreme group.
Words with a similar meaning
denominationfaction
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
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