secularize

verb

Definition of secularizenext
as in to dissuade

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of secularize There is an active effort to drive religion out of the public square, to secularize America. — Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2024 Both began as missions established by Spanish colonizers that were later secularized and grew into towns after Mexico won its independence. — Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 26 Sep. 2023 Yet for all the rejoicing, American society continues to secularize. — Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Dec. 2022 Early campaigns for financial reorganization gave way to ambitious attempts to secularize the inhabitants of monastic houses on a scale unseen in any other national church—with dramatic social as well as economic consequences. — Crawford Gribben, WSJ, 29 Apr. 2022 See All Example Sentences for secularize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secularize
dissuade
Verb
  • This has not dissuaded residents from demanding action from city officials.
    — Noah Daly August 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The plaintiffs said studios will now be dissuaded from buying the rights to the movie, knowing that a version of it could be released by a third party for free.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of dissuade

Browse Nearby Words

secularist
secularize
secularized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Secularize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secularize. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All