atheistic

American  

[ey-thee-is-tik] / ˌeɪ θiˈɪs tɪk /

Also atheistical

adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of atheists or atheism; containing, suggesting, or disseminating atheism.

   atheistic literature; atheistic people.

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Usage

What does atheistic mean? Atheistic is an adjective that’s used to describe things that involve atheism—the belief that there is no supreme being or deity. In other words, atheism is the denial of the existence of God or of any gods. A person who holds such a belief can be called an atheist. The word atheist can also be used as an adjective to describe such beliefs or things involving such beliefs. Atheistic is used in this same way. For example, the writings of an atheist could be described as atheistic. The themes of a certain book or film that is thought to promote or deal with atheism could also be described as atheistic. The word is often used in a negative way by those who disagree with atheism. The word atheistic means something different from the word agnostic, which refers to or describes a person who believes it is impossible to know whether or not a supreme being exists. When asked if God or gods exist, an atheist would answer “No,” while an agnostic would answer “It is impossible to know.”A less common variant of atheistic is atheistical. Example: The film was criticized by church leaders due to what they interpreted as an atheistic message.

Other Word Forms

• antiatheistic adjective
• antiatheistical adjective
• antiatheistically adverb
• atheistically adverb
• atheisticness noun
• nonatheistic adjective
• nonatheistical adjective
• nonatheistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of atheistic

First recorded in 1625–35; atheist + -ic

Explanation

If you are atheistic, you don't believe in God. Or in any gods for that matter. You’re also probably not interested in praying or participating in religious rituals. The French root of atheistic literally translates to “without god,” and that’s how atheistic folks choose to live — with no god talk affecting their decisions. Some people who are atheistic actually get together to discuss their lack of belief, called atheism. Atheistic is an exception to the rule about “i before e except after c,” so watch out for that.

Example Sentences

It’s this exposé of societal absurdity and Meursault’s atheistic refusal to play along with pacifying notions of sin and redemption, that makes“The Stranger” a pinnacle of confrontational literature.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

With this short book Mr. Murray, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the roster of formerly agnostic or atheistic intellectuals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

The country is led by an officially atheistic party dominated by the majority Han ethnic group.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 16, 2023

In one for Science and Technology News in 2005, he talked about the divide between theories of atheistic evolution and theistic evolution.

From New York Times • Jun. 11, 2023

I never had done so, and objected that it would give the impression that Secularism was atheistic.

From English Secularism A Confession Of Belief by Holyoake, George Jacob