EARTHLY Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'earthly' distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words mundane and worldly are common synonyms of earthly . While all three words mean "belonging to or characteristic of the earth," earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual. // abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

Q: When is 'mundane' a more appropriate choice than 'earthly'?

In some situations, the words mundane and earthly are roughly equivalent. However, mundane suggests reference to the immediate and practical. // a mundane discussion of finances

Q: How are the words 'worldly' and 'mundane' related as synonyms of 'earthly'?

Worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification. // worldly goods

earthly

adjective

ˈərth-lē

Definition of earthly

as in temporal

having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven a sermon against our obsession with earthly pursuits

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How is the word earthly distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words mundane and worldly are common synonyms of earthly. While all three words mean "belonging to or characteristic of the earth," earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual.

abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

When is mundane a more appropriate choice than earthly?

In some situations, the words mundane and earthly are roughly equivalent. However, mundane suggests reference to the immediate and practical.

a mundane discussion of finances

How are the words worldly and mundane related as synonyms of earthly?

Worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification.

worldly goods

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 earthly In the chamber’s center, a drop of water on a chip contains the chemistry of whatever earthly era or exoplanetary site the group is trying to re-create. — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026 More importantly, the Zellner brothers platform earthly elements, like music and food, as our most essential joie de vivre. — Cortlyn Kelly, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026 Shades of forest greens, browns, and other earthly delights followed suit. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026 Andor creator Tony Gilroy returns from the galaxy far, far away to take on more earthly matters. — A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for earthly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for earthly

Adjective

Blending 1970s sci-fi aesthetics with a timeless world where cell phones are the only markers of temporal difference, the film blurs the boundaries between memory, history and the supernatural.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
The team tested whether the hardware could distinguish temporal patterns using four consecutive input signals that could each be switched on or off.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of temporal

Adjective

Natalie Dattilo Psychologist Between regular exposure to the mundane and increased access to everything else, worries stack — and so does stress and anxiety.

— Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Even Santos’ mundane stories sound like character-building arcs in a rugged epic, never mind the ones involving animal run-ins.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of mundane

Adjective

Hence, customers with Rogers can expect the carrier to continue offering Starlink Mobile as an additional service alongside its terrestrial cell service.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
One company makes electric cars that are inherently terrestrial, ferrying millions of drivers on roads around the world.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrestrial

Adjective

Her physical absence changes nothing about the circumstances of our friendship.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
This is just a normal part of growing older, according to conventional wisdom, as if aging were a one-way street of physical decline.

— Leana S. Wen, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of physical

Adjective

Vegetable Oils Vegetable and seed oils are some of the richest non-animal dietary sources of CoQ10.

— Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 16 July 2026
Computer models and other non-animal testing methods still aren’t the best available science, critics contend.

— Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

Definition of animal

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“Earthly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earthly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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