cult Definition
- 1a system of religious or spiritual beliefs, especially an informal and transient belief system regarded by others as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or false
- 2a group of people who share such beliefs and practices
- 3a misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing
Using cult: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cult" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The cult leader claimed to be a messiah and convinced his followers to commit mass suicide.
Example
She was raised in a cult that believed in extraterrestrial beings.
Example
The rock band has a cult following among teenagers.
Example
He has a cult of personality around him, with many people blindly following his every word.
cult Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for cult
Antonyms for cult
- mainstream
- orthodoxy
Idioms Using cult
to blindly follow or believe in something without questioning its validity or consequences, often used in a negative sense
Example
Many people drank the Kool-Aid and invested all their savings in the fraudulent scheme.
Example
She joined the cult and moved to a remote commune in the mountains.
to leave a group that shares extreme or unconventional beliefs, often after a period of indoctrination or brainwashing
Example
It took years for him to break free from the cult and regain his sense of self.
Phrases with cult
a work of art or entertainment that is popular or fashionable among a select group of people despite being unpopular or unsuccessful with the general public
Example
The movie became a cult classic after its initial commercial failure.
Example
The author became a cult figure after publishing her first novel.
a situation where a leader is excessively praised and worshipped by their followers, often to the point of being considered infallible
Example
The dictator created a cult of personality around himself, with his image appearing everywhere in the country.
Origins of cult
from Latin 'cultus', meaning 'worship'
Summary: cult in Brief
The term 'cult' [kʌlt] refers to a system of religious or spiritual beliefs that is often considered misguided, extremist, or false. It can also refer to a group of people who share such beliefs and practices, or to a misplaced admiration for a person or thing. Examples include the cult leader who convinced his followers to commit mass suicide, the cult classic movie that gained popularity despite commercial failure, and the cult of personality surrounding a leader who is excessively praised and worshipped by their followers.
