avowed atheist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avowed atheist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who openly and publicly declares their lack of belief in a deity or deities. Example: "As an avowed atheist, she often engages in discussions about the role of religion in society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He is an avowed atheist.

The Guardian - Opinion

The plaintiff, as she has every right to be, is an avowed atheist.

Cornell University

Yes, I would have a list of questions for an avowed atheist.

The New York Times

He was early an avowed atheist but moved gradually to embrace Roman Catholicism at age 79.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Paradoxically — for Whedon is an avowed atheist — what they worship is his questing humanism.

The New Yorker

Nyman, a Brooklyn lefty and avowed atheist, was Joel's intellectual hero.

The New Yorker

For Pullman, who is an avowed atheist and a critic of Lewis, that is bad news.

The Guardian

Dad, on the other hand, was an avowed atheist who never closed his eyes during grace.

The New York Times

Best argues that contrary to popular perception, Hughes was neither an avowed atheist nor unconcerned with religious matters.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Prosecutors argued that Mr Say, a self-avowed atheist, had "denigrated the values of a section of the population" through his comments on Twitter.

The Economist

The self-avowed atheist had been under investigation by Irish authorities after stating during an appearance on an Irish TV program in 2015 that if God does exist he's an "utterly evil" "maniac," the Irish Independent first reported.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "avowed atheist", ensure the context clarifies why their atheism is relevant to the discussion. The term often implies a conscious and public declaration of disbelief.

Common error

Avoid using "avowed atheist" when merely stating someone's belief. Use it when their atheism is a known and openly declared aspect of their identity, influencing the narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avowed atheist" functions as a descriptive term, specifically a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It serves to identify an individual based on their openly declared lack of belief in God, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

21%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avowed atheist" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe someone who openly declares their lack of belief in God. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage in various contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as academic discussions. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the person has indeed publicly stated their atheism. Alternatives such as "declared atheist" or "professed atheist" can be used, depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declared atheist

Replaces "avowed" with "declared", emphasizing a formal announcement of atheism.

professed atheist

Substitutes "avowed" with "professed", highlighting the act of openly stating one's atheism.

self-declared atheist

Adds "self-" to "declared", indicating the individual's own claim of being an atheist.

outspoken atheist

Focuses on the person's vocal and public expression of their atheism rather than simply stating their belief.

confirmed atheist

Suggests a firm and unwavering commitment to atheism.

known atheist

Indicates that the person's atheism is widely known.

non-believer

Uses a broader term to describe someone who does not believe in religious doctrines.

unbeliever

Similar to "non-believer", but with a slightly more informal tone.

person with no religious belief

Describes atheism by defining it as the absence of religious belief, broadening to no belief at all

one who denies the existence of God

Defines atheism through the active denial of God's existence, emphasizing disbelief.

FAQs

How do you use "avowed atheist" in a sentence?

You can use "avowed atheist" to describe someone who openly declares their lack of belief in God. For example: "As an "avowed atheist", she often speaks about secularism."

What's the difference between an "avowed atheist" and a regular atheist?

An "avowed atheist" is someone who has openly declared their atheism. A regular atheist may hold atheistic beliefs privately without publicly stating them.

What are some alternatives to "avowed atheist"?

You can use alternatives like "declared atheist", "professed atheist", or "self-declared atheist", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to label someone as an "avowed atheist"?

It's appropriate if the person has publicly identified as an atheist. However, it's best to avoid assumptions and respect an individual's self-identification.