1
as in temples
a building for public worship and especially Christian worship
a city that is noted for its many historic churches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in congregations
a body of persons gathered for religious worship
spoke to the whole church at once
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in clergies
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
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Recent Examples of churches
National headlines report churches seeing an uptick in converts and attendance and trends on social media, especially among younger men.
—
Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland announced that more than a dozen churches in the East Bay will be closing amid ongoing financial woes.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
East Bay Catholics were informed on Wednesday, April 29, that the Diocese of Oakland would close 13 churches across the region amid financial struggles and years of declining parishioner numbers.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
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
Goldsmiths worked from the same templates as masons did, producing tabletop churches and pocket chapels.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
The performances will mainly take place in concert halls, theaters, and churches.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
Former President Francisco Macias Nguema persecuted Catholics, closed several churches and banned the church in 1978 to cut ties with Spain, the country’s former colonial power.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland announced that more than a dozen churches in the East Bay will be closing amid ongoing financial woes.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
East Bay Catholics were informed on Wednesday, April 29, that the Diocese of Oakland would close 13 churches across the region amid financial struggles and years of declining parishioner numbers.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
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
Goldsmiths worked from the same templates as masons did, producing tabletop churches and pocket chapels.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
The performances will mainly take place in concert halls, theaters, and churches.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
Former President Francisco Macias Nguema persecuted Catholics, closed several churches and banned the church in 1978 to cut ties with Spain, the country’s former colonial power.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churches
Noun
-
My head was constantly on a swivel, captured by the neon lights in Chinatown contrasting against the gold facades of the centuries-old wats (temples).—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Late in his life, Dollison delivered sermons for Church of Christ congregations in Rector, Greenway and Jonesboro, as well as in the Missouri communities of Leachville and Campbell.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Single Friendly Church Network found that when congregations conducted demographic audits, many were surprised by the results.—
Peter McGraw,
The Conversation,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Entry is free, and the interior is genuinely stunning — the kind of stop that rewards curiosity even if cathedrals aren’t typically your thing.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
-
On shrill winter nights, Moscow’s power is conspicuous, its Orthodox cathedrals and Stalinist high-rises illuminated, though the view falls dim in the autumn and spring, shrouded in sheets of greige.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Churches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churches. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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