co-religionist

A woman greets her co-religionist outside the temple.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who shares the same religion as another: "co-religionist" refers to an individual who follows the same religious faith or belief system as another person.

Usage Examples

• (A person who shares her religious beliefs.)
• (People who belong to the same religion.)
• (A fellow adherent of the same faith.)

Advanced Usage

• "co-religionist" in interfaith contexts: The term can be used to contrast with members of other faiths, highlighting shared beliefs within a group.
  • The debate was between a Christian and a Muslim, each speaking for their co-religionists. (Each speaking for those who share their respective religion.)

Variants and Related Words

• Coreligionist (n): an alternative spelling of "co-religionist" (less common but identical in meaning).
  • The coreligionist offered to help with the charity event. (A person of the same faith.)
• Co-religion (n): the state of sharing a religion with another.
  • Their co-religion was a strong bond between them. (The fact of sharing a religion.)

Synonyms

• Fellow believer: a person who holds the same religious convictions.
• Coreligionist: a direct synonym (see Variants).
• Co-faithful: an informal term for someone of the same faith.

Related Idioms

• "brother in faith": a figurative expression for a co-religionist, emphasizing spiritual kinship.
  • He greeted the visitor as a brother in faith. (He considered him a co-religionist.)
• "of the same cloth": a metaphor for belonging to the same religious group or order.
  • The two priests were of the same cloth, so they understood each other well. (They were co-religionists within the same denomination.)