1
as in meetings
a coming together of a number of persons for a specified purpose
a war council attended by the top commanders of each of the armed services
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in organizations
a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest
the neighborhood council decided to campaign for a new park
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in seminars
a meeting featuring a group discussion
summoned to a council to discuss ways that the state could improve medical care for the elderly
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in discussions
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
an unscheduled council in the judge's chambers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of councils
He also has been endorsed by presidents of five other neighborhood councils in the district.
—
Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Advisory councils, which provide a second layer of peer review, have been hollowed out.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026
Expansion is expected to be formalized in May, after the plan is approved by various NCAA councils and committees.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
The elections in both territories were for the makeup of local councils tasked with overseeing water, roads and electricity.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Independent central banks, fiscal councils, that leads to good policies that protect countries, especially at the time of a shock.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
That fall, during councils with Native leaders, York played a surprising and vital role.
—Craig Fehrman, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Probst also confirmed that the jury, which will have a say in the eventual winner of the season, would begin after the three tribal councils that night.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
That fall, during councils with Native leaders, York played a surprising and vital role.
—Craig Fehrman, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Advisory councils, which provide a second layer of peer review, have been hollowed out.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026
Expansion is expected to be formalized in May, after the plan is approved by various NCAA councils and committees.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
The elections in both territories were for the makeup of local councils tasked with overseeing water, roads and electricity.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Independent central banks, fiscal councils, that leads to good policies that protect countries, especially at the time of a shock.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
That fall, during councils with Native leaders, York played a surprising and vital role.
—Craig Fehrman, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Probst also confirmed that the jury, which will have a say in the eventual winner of the season, would begin after the three tribal councils that night.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
That fall, during councils with Native leaders, York played a surprising and vital role.
—Craig Fehrman, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for councils
Noun
-
Geopolitics aside, central bank meetings are a key focus as the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and peers in Japan, the UK and Canada are all scheduled to decide on policy.—
Ashutosh Joshi,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Eventually, the meetings adjourned and turned into a social occasion.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These organizations, striving to fill the information gap created by the state government’s increasing drift toward secrecy — can’t rely on taxpayers to pay their bills.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Suing government agencies is not a first choice for most reporters and news organizations.—
Charles Ornstein,
ProPublica,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But a combination of catchy memes, holiday excursions, and earnest seminars don’t add up to a broad détente between the US and China.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
With a heavy emphasis on what works psychologically, seminars, books and college classes are trying to change how people approach climate change, by talking more about community and happiness than sacrifice.—
Seth Borenstein,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In dozens of markets, including San Diego and Sacramento, Nexstar would own multiple major TV network affiliates.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The affiliates, like the big league club, are also using pre-game homework assignments to have players work on their swing decisions.—
Spencer Nusbaum,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Already ongoing for days ahead of the visit, discussions about handling security intensified after a heavily armed man sprinted through security and got yards away from the banquet hall crowded with about 2,000 journalists, federal officials and celebrities before he was tackled to the ground.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In the streets of Washington, word of the alarming development spread through discussions with rideshare drivers and in the overheard comments of tuxedoed attendees who blurted out comments in smartphone conversations while walking away from the original site of the dinner.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Nuremberg rallies were simply political stage plays, with music from Wagner, drums, symmetrical marching formations, red flags, and gatherings often held in darkness to heighten the mood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Without a doubt, guests would never get such a light touch there, where the security protocol for large gatherings calls for checkpoints—sometimes several of them, including mandatory ID checks and physical screening.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The question is whether institutions will adapt quickly enough to remain relevant.—
Gerald Bradshaw,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Across collectors, cultural institutions and design circles, perfume bottles are increasingly being recognized not as packaging, but as artifacts — objects that preserve history, identity and the visual language of their time.—
Sudhir Gupta,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over time, collectives have morphed from mass fundraising operations to resemble marketing agencies amid policing by the College Sports Commission, an independent regulatory body established by the power conferences.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Apr. 2026
-
More than a few of the teams included in that hypothetical opening round are from conferences whose champions have pulled off NCAA Tournament upsets in recent years.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Councils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/councils. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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