cultist
Fringe group devotee
A cultist is a member or follower of a cult—typically a fringe religious group, secretive organization, or movement centered on extreme devotion to a charismatic leader or unorthodox beliefs.
The term carries negative connotations, suggesting someone who has surrendered critical thinking: The cultists gathered at dawn for their ritual.
In gaming and fiction, cultists are stock villains who worship dark powers or ancient entities.
Clergy's ceremonial assistant
- devoteeZealous admirer or follower
- discipleCommitted follower of teaching
- adherentLoyal supporter of something
- initiateTo set in motion
convert · believer · zealot · fanatic · member · partisan · loyalist · votary
Formal event marking occasions
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- chantRepetitive rhythmic phrase
- altarSacred ritual table
summoning · séance · conjuring · invocation · rite · offering · libation · vigil
Concealed from authorities
- hiddenKept out of sight
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- cipherHidden writing system
coded · veiled · shadowy · secretive · concealed · forbidden · taboo · cell
Excessive devotion to beliefs
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- dogmaUnchallengeable official beliefs
indoctrination · radicalization · groupthink · messianic · apocalyptic · doomsday · martyrdom · self-sacrifice
Understood by few
- esotericAccessible to few
- mysticalOf hidden spiritual significance
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
divination · talisman · amulet · pentagram · sigil · grimoire · necromancy · demonology
acolyte
Clergy's ceremonial assistant
- devoteeZealous admirer or follower
- discipleCommitted follower of teaching
- adherentLoyal supporter of something
initiate · convert · believer · zealot · fanatic · member · partisan · loyalist · votary · proselyte
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- chantRepetitive rhythmic phrase
altar · summoning · séance · conjuring · invocation · rite · offering · libation · vigil · procession
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- hiddenKept out of sight
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
cipher · coded · veiled · shadowy · secretive · concealed · forbidden · taboo · cell · compound
zealotry
Excessive devotion to beliefs
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
dogma · indoctrination · radicalization · groupthink · messianic · apocalyptic · doomsday · martyrdom · self-sacrifice · devotion
arcane
Understood by few
- esotericAccessible to few
- mysticalOf hidden spiritual significance
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
sorcery · divination · talisman · amulet · pentagram · sigil · grimoire · necromancy · demonology · paganism
- believersbeliever, believers, adherent, devotee, theist
- devoteesdevotee, devotees, adherent, adherents, follower
- LovecraftianCthulhu, Necronomicon, Arkham, cosmic horror, Call of Cthulhu
- enthusiastsenthusiasts, fans, devotee, enthusiast, buff
- dark magesnecromancer, warlock, black mage, black magician, lich
- faith labelsbeliever, nonbeliever, atheist, agnostic, theist
cultistskeptic
One who doubts claims
agnostic · indifferent · apathetic · fence-sitter · disengaged
cultistfreethinker
Rejects doctrine for reason
rationalist · independent thinker · skeptic · critical thinker · iconoclast
cultivate, cultivar, cultism, cultish, cultists, cultishness