1
2
as in congregation
a body of persons gathered for religious worship spoke to the whole church at once
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in clergy
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church a time when few young men seem to want to join the church
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of church The performances will mainly take place in concert halls, theaters, and churches. —
Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026 There would definitely be God at the center of it and a church. —Maria Bamford, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026 For fine dining, La Cava serves upscale Italian cuisine in an historic church setting. —Katie Riley, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026 The couple stepped out with Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, to celebrate Easter with the royals at a church service, then scaled down their royal duties to spend time as a family during the school vacation. —Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for church
Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026 There would definitely be God at the center of it and a church. —Maria Bamford, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026 For fine dining, La Cava serves upscale Italian cuisine in an historic church setting. —Katie Riley, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026 The couple stepped out with Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, to celebrate Easter with the royals at a church service, then scaled down their royal duties to spend time as a family during the school vacation. —Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
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Depending on the season (the camp opens from May through December, when temperatures are pleasant), days fill with picnics in the mountains, visits to Buddhist festivals, or merit-making ceremonies at nearby temples and shrines.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
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The path connects several temples including Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and is known as the favorite place of famous philosopher Nishida Kitaro, hence the name.— Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The change lets these entities partner with developers without needing special waivers from local government, though some officials and religious leaders have raised concerns about long-term impacts on congregations.— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
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He, Wayne and brothers Merrill and Jay formed a barbershop quartet that began performing in 1958 for their Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation.— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some sources show that the declaration was read in churches and discussed by the clergy.— Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
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Talk to a trusted friend, a clergy person or see a therapist.— Helen Dennis, Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Step back in time with a visit to this fado joint, built in a former chapel in Alfama, with the original tiles and murals still on the walls.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
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Upon Pope Leo’s election in May 2025, Villanova students and faculty flocked to the on-campus chapel as the church bells rang out across the Philadelphia campus.— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Every Gothic cathedral is the product of ideas that altered over generations, ambitions abandoned or superseded, compromises with ballooning budgets, labor shortages, or bottlenecks in the supply chain from quarries and forests and mines.— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
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The area Brilliantly located in the old town with two of the city’s biggest attractions—the Unesco World Heritage cathedral and Real Alcázar—a 15-minute stroll south.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the corner of one of Amsterdam's most elegant 17th-century canal houses, a cheetah leaps from an antique tabernacle.— Karen Burshtein, Time, 12 Mar. 2026
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Vandals broke into a Catholic school in Long Beach overnight Monday, stealing church items, damaging statues and tossing the tabernacle to the ground, according to police and school officials.— Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Church.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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