noun

atheism

AY-thee-iz-um/ˈeɪθiɪzəm/

Disbelief in or lack of belief in any gods.

The philosopher expresses atheism by rejecting the claim that gods exist.

A philosopher depicts rejection of a deity claim.

Etymology

aGreeknot, without

+theGreekgod

+ismGreekpractice or doctrine

The prefix makes the god root mean 'without a god' or 'denying the gods.' The noun ending turns that description into a name for a position of disbelief.

In context

Controversies in Church History2:05

drifted into atheism, agnosticism, and various you know anti-God philosophies.

The Papacy and the Orthodox: an Interview With Erick Ybarra

More examples

Her atheism does not stop her from attending a friend's church wedding.
The survey asks about atheism and religious belief.
They discuss atheism without trying to change each other's minds.

Forms

atheism

atheist noun — Someone who lacks belief in any gods.

atheistic adjective — Expressing or characterized by disbelief in gods.

Similar words

nonbelief: Means absence of belief, not necessarily belief in gods.
disbelief: Means rejection of a claim, not specifically religious claims.