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ecclesiastical

adjective

i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-sti-kəl How to pronounce ecclesiastical (audio)
Definition of ecclesiasticalnext
as in ecclesiastic
of or relating to a church ecclesiastical laws that have been in existence for centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 ecclesiastical The Zaporizhyan ecclesiastical design belonged to the Middle Dnieper architectural school and was built with wooden pegs instead of nails, using oak from a fortress. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026 An East Texas federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in June, ruling that a First Amendment protection known as the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine applied to the church. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026 But the chapel, heavy with the scent of ecclesiastical incense, felt as genuine as could be, worn from nearly two centuries of worship. — Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026 Walsh’s ruling gave the OCA, which is the largest of three Russian Orthodox ecclesiastical bodies in the United States, authority to govern the parish and the judge ordered the parish’s former leaders to vacate the property by June 2025. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ecclesiastical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ecclesiastical
  1. ecclesiastic
  2. religious
  3. papal
Adjective
  • This will be followed by a final period in Florence to learn the technique and historical evolution of egg tempera, to acquire ancient handweaving skills and expand her knowledge of its applications in the ecclesiastic context.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
  • Back then, Kennedy was constantly fending off accusations from Protestant ecclesiastic types who were wary that his nomination meant the pontiff, John XXIII, was already packing his bags for a move into the White House.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of ecclesiastic
Adjective
  • Still, Beck didn’t seem to want to talk, in private or in the media, about having grown up as the child of a successful music-industry hustler — much less one who was so proudly and publicly involved with a controversial religious movement.
    — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Researching religious-art theft, Gurrea came across Erik the Belgian, a notorious thief who targeted churches across Spain during the 20th century.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of religious
Adjective
  • The South Side team even had a theme night in August dedicated to the Pope, where fans at Rate Field were given replica papal-style hats featuring the Sox logo in a game against the Cincinnati Reds.
    — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Its evolution and that of the surrounding estate have been determined by border disputes between papal states and grand duchies, by World Wars, and, in the second half of the 20th century, by brute economics, industrialization, and urbanization.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of papal

Browse Nearby Words

ecclesiastic
ecclesiastical
ecclesiastics
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Cite this Entry

“Ecclesiastical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecclesiastical. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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