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
Explore the history of town of Odenton, from railroads, homes and churches to schools, stores, and recreational activities over the past 155 years.
—
Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026
Crackdown on young Christian influencers Cuba has long been criticized for restricting freedom of religion, and the government prohibits religious practice if churches are not authorized by the state.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Recurring flooding in the area has affected homes, a church and major roadways including the Midlothian Turnpike, officials said.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In the song, an old-growth tree provides cover from the watchful eye of puritanical church folk; chili dogs and ice cream are an excuse to break free from parents.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for church
Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026
Crackdown on young Christian influencers Cuba has long been criticized for restricting freedom of religion, and the government prohibits religious practice if churches are not authorized by the state.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Recurring flooding in the area has affected homes, a church and major roadways including the Midlothian Turnpike, officials said.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In the song, an old-growth tree provides cover from the watchful eye of puritanical church folk; chili dogs and ice cream are an excuse to break free from parents.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for church
Recent Examples of Synonyms for church
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
She was ordained in the 1970s, the first woman in the congregation to earn that honor.—
Myrna Petlicki,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The decision has left myriad questions for parish leaders and their congregations.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some sources show that the declaration was read in churches and discussed by the clergy.—
Thomas Tweed,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Talk to a trusted friend, a clergy person or see a therapist.—
Helen Dennis,
Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The chapel’s first floor served as a one-room school for much of the late 1800s and early 1900s.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
-
So are her businesses, including a local wedding chapel that was completely destroyed by the fire.—
Ryan Brennan
April 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/church. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
