1. People who favor a broad, tolerant interpretation of religious doctrine and practice, especially those who prioritize moral conduct over strict adherence to dogma.
Usage: Plural form; often used historically to refer to 17th–18th century Anglican clergy; Can be used descriptively or sometimes pejoratively by strict traditionalists
2. People who adopt a permissive or flexible attitude toward rules, standards, or established conventions in any domain.
Usage: Extended sense beyond religion; less common in modern usage

Examples

• The latitudinarians of the Church of England sought to accommodate both Protestant and Catholic sensibilities.
• These latitudinarians believed that sincere faith and ethical living mattered more than precise theological formulas.
• Critics accused the latitudinarians of compromising core religious principles for the sake of social harmony.
• The latitudinarians' approach helped reduce religious conflict during a period of intense sectarian division.
• In modern contexts, latitudinarians might refer to those who interpret constitutional law with flexibility rather than strict literalism.
• The bishop was known as a latitudinarian for his willingness to ordain clergy with diverse theological views.