cultists
Fanatical group members
Cultists are members or followers of a cult—typically a religious or quasi-religious group with unconventional beliefs and intense devotion to a charismatic leader.
The term carries negative connotations, suggesting fanaticism or susceptibility to manipulation: The cultists refused contact with their families.
In fiction and gaming, cultists often serve dark or supernatural forces: We fought through waves of hooded cultists to reach the temple.
Passionate adherents
- acolytesDevoted followers or assistants
- disciplesDevoted followers of teachings
- adherentsLoyal supporters of something
- zealotsFanatical cause followers
sectarians · members · initiates · believers · faithful · congregation · flock · converts
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- hiddenKept out of sight
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- secretiveInclined to conceal
furtive · infiltration · compound · recruitment · brainwashing · isolation · hierarchy · indoctrination
Formal event marking occasions
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
- altarSacred ritual table
summoning · conjuration · pentagram · seance · divination · rites · initiation · offering
Excessive devotion to beliefs
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
radicalism · fundamentalism · unquestioning · groupthink · manipulation · delusion · paranoia · apocalyptic
devotees
Passionate adherents
- acolytesDevoted followers or assistants
- disciplesDevoted followers of teachings
- adherentsLoyal supporters of something
zealots · sectarians · members · initiates · believers · faithful · congregation · flock · converts · votaries
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- hiddenKept out of sight
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
secretive · furtive · infiltration · compound · recruitment · brainwashing · isolation · hierarchy · indoctrination · encrypted
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
altar · summoning · conjuration · pentagram · seance · divination · rites · initiation · offering · invocation
zealotry
Excessive devotion to beliefs
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
obsession · radicalism · fundamentalism · unquestioning · groupthink · manipulation · delusion · paranoia · apocalyptic · doomsday
esoteric
Accessible to few
- mysticismPursuit of divine union
- witchcraftPractice of supernatural magic
- necromancyCommunicating with the deceased
paganism · shamanism · coven · talisman · amulet · sigil · grimoire · arcane · sorcery · heresy
- devoteesdevotee, devotees, adherent, adherents, follower
- followersfollowers, conformist, disciples, devotees, adherents
- Sectariansfundamentalists, Puritans, Amish, Gnostics, Huguenots
- admirersfans, devotees, followers, enthusiasts, admirers
- Nonconformistsnonconformist, rebels, rebel, misfits, misfit
- troublemakerstroublemaker, rascals, delinquents, imps, brats
cultiststraditionalists
Upholders of established customs
churchgoers · congregants · parishioners · apostates · defectors
cultistsfreethinkers
Independent-minded questioners of orthodoxy
skeptics · critical thinkers · rationalists · nonconformists · individualists